By Charlene Macaulay
Wanted: people with a spare bedroom and an open heart.
The Salvation Army’s Westcare Children’s Services is on the lookout for anyone interested in helping some of the western suburbs’ most
vulnerable children.
Recruitment officer Monika Vukovic said the organisation, which has offices across the west, has to turn away most requests for foster care because there simply isn’t enough carers on the books.
Westcare provided 187 children and teenagers with support through its
58 carers in 2013. Ms Vukovic estimates Westcare needs at least another 50 carers to make its caseload manageable.
“With kids, it’s not a one size fits all approach,” Ms Vukovic said.
“If they’re not supported now to have their basic needs met and meet their full potential, what will happen in 10, 15 years time when they’re adults?’’
Ms Vukovic said foster care provided parents with time to ‘‘sort out what needs to be sorted’’.
“Part of our role is to make that transition as smooth as possible.”
Ms Vukovic said most foster children ended up going back to their parents. Those who don’t typically find a new family of their own with their foster parents.
Ms Vukovic said anyone could become a foster carer, including married couples, singles, gay and lesbian couples and full and part-time workers. “There’s no perfect time to be a
foster carer,’’ she said. ‘‘You just need to be willing.’’
For more details about becoming a foster carer, phone 9312 3544.
