Foster carers looking after teenage children in Western Australia are receiving a significant subsidy increase.
Family and Community Development Minister Eric Ripper said today the first increase, which was part of a $1.25 million boost to foster subsidies over the next three years, was being paid from this week.
Mr Ripper said the rise, of more than $20 per week - from $69.25 to $90 - was a move towards the cost of caring for children, as identified by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
At any one time in this State, 800 children, including more than 250 teenagers, were being looked after by foster carers because of crises in the children's families.
"This 29 per cent subsidy increase should help alleviate the on-going shortage of foster carers of teenage children, who are often wrongly branded as juvenile delinquents," Mr Ripper said.
"Hopefully, it will encourage more people to come forward to offer their services."
The Minister said all foster carers would receive an increase next year, and by the third year, all rates would be linked to the AIFS benchmark.
"Foster carers deserve greater recognition for the invaluable service they provide to children and families in this State.
"They truly are the quiet achievers whose vital, loving work builds children's futures and benefits the community through long-term reductions in social problems such as juvenile crime, drug abuse, and homelessness.
"Their ultimate goal is to have the children return to their natural families and their role is to provide continuity to the children through love, comfort and assurance."
