Children in need of care

THE foster care crisis on the Gold Coast is once again being addressed in order to help more than 600 children in the region who have escaped unsafe homes.

Queensland Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves said a campaign titled Foster a Child, Foster a Future was launched yesterday on the Gold Coast.

"We're looking for more people to open their hearts and homes to care for children and young people who have been abused and neglected at the hands of their parent or guardian," Mr Reeves said.

"Prospective carers can find out everything they need to know at a brand new website, which has a step-by-step guide on how they can make a difference.

State Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said that in Queensland there were more than 8000 children who could not live safely at home and on the Gold Coast there were 629 children in care.

"Carers are an invalu- able part of today's society where more and more children are entering the child-protection system," Mr Lawlor said.

Spiritus TRACC Gold Coast service manager Candice Bell said more than 25 children a month are placed in safe yet undesirable living situations like residential homes because there are simply not enough carers.

"There are never enough foster carers. But there is a desperate need for carers who can take sibling groups and older children," Ms Bell said.

"That's the biggest area we need help in. We struggle to find homes for children aged nine and over."