Foster families sign up

DEMAND for foster and kinship carers has increased across Queensland as more than 1500 families registered to assist for the first time, according to the latest state government data.

Children Minister Leanne Linard said during the Covid pandemic there had been an “increased need” for foster carers with many families under pressure.

Over the past year, 1596 families stepped up to be carers for the first time.

There were 6038 carer families as at December 31, up from 5792 in 2020.

“Typically, the department has between 1300 and 1600 first-time carer families at any point in time predominantly seeking to become kinship carers when a relative or close kin requires care,” Ms Linard said.

The minister said the government had been running recruitment campaigns to encourage more Queenslanders to consider becoming foster carers.