The number of children in kinship care in Logan is rising, meaning more young people are staying connected to family, culture and community.
The latest government data revealed there were 590 children in kinship care in the Logan/Beaudesert district.
That means almost 45 per cent of children in government care in Logan have been placed with kin – a 1.7 per cent rise compared to the year before.
A spokesperson for the department of children, youth justice and multicultural affairs highlighted the importance of kinship care, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
“We work to ensure children and young people unable to live at home are in family-based placements and wherever possible, living with kin,” the spokesperson said.
“Kinship carers can often provide children with a greater connection to family and more opportunities for contact with parents, helping to reduce associated trauma.”
Although the number of children in kinship care has risen, the number of kinship carers has not.
Last year, there were 571 carer families in the Logan/Beaudesert district – a 5 per cent decrease from the year before.
In contrast, the number of kinship families in Queensland rose by 1,488, totalling 6,042.
Overall, the state has over 47 percent of all children in care with kinship families, meaning Logan is keeping up with a state-wide trend.
The Queensland government’s target is to reach 70 per cent by 2026.
“We are working with our partner agencies and frontline staff to trial new ways to connect with and support kinship carers, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognise carers need support and we are constantly exploring ways to improve and increase assistance.
“Foster and kinship carers are the backbone of the child safety system, and we recognise and value the incredibly important role they play in the lives of children and young people in care.”
In Logan, according to the most recent government data, there were 722 children in the Logan/Beaudesert district in foster care and residential care – a 1.5 per cent increase.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster care can find out more by visiting www.qld.gov.au/fostercare or by calling Queensland Foster and Kinship Care on 1300 550 877.
