Northern Victoria’s struggling foster carers are worse off after the State Budget, with no increase to the foster care allowance.
The Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said local carers were already buckling under a lack of appropriate funding and support but the state budget would make things even worse.
“Despite years of advocacy by carers and peak bodies, there was no funding to increase the foster care allowance in the state budget.”
Ms Broad said one long-term foster carer, Carol, had told her she was struggling.
“Victoria’s care allowance is inadequate. It does not cover the costs of care, especially therapeutic supports to aid healing and recovery from abuse and neglect. There are major structural problems in the foster care system, and Carol is not alone in her concerns,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“The Foster Care Association of Victoria is the peak body for foster carers and has consistently raised these issues with the department, as well as setting up a care allowance petition.
“The Victorian allowance is out of step with the costs of raising a child with significant needs due to their trauma backgrounds and has failed to keep pace with rising living costs.
“The level 1 Victorian care allowance is the lowest of any state or territory in Australia, and volunteer carers are being left to meet the shortfall.
“The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing commissioned research on the adequacy and structure of the care allowance in 2022, but that information has been kept cabinet in confidence and is not publicly available despite numerous requests. It showed shortfalls in the carer allowances.
“There are willing carers out there who just cannot afford to take on this role, and vulnerable children are paying the price. As carers leave the system in droves, children are at risk of ending up in crisis accommodation or residential care, which is significantly more expensive.”
Ms Broad said carers face a wide range of challenges.
“In regional areas, carers need to drive longer distances to take children to appointments, kinder, schools and sport and spend time with their biological family, and the allowance does not cover these costs. There is no provision for children who return home and then come back into care to go back to the same carer. Carers often do not have the opportunity to say goodbye or check-up on children that have been in their care. Carers find it very difficult to get respite.
“The government must prioritise the needs of our vulnerable children, provide better financial support and service delivery and stop relying on the goodwill of volunteers to subsidise state care.
“Our foster carers should be supported, not punished, for the incredible work they do.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au