More kids on the brink as Monash addicts struggle
Tim Ennis
22Apr08
Monash desperately needs more carers like Mt Waverley's Lindy Fergeus to cope with a rising number of children needing foster care. Picture: Mark Stewart N06WG301
DRUG and alcohol abuse is to blame for an alarming rise in the number of displaced young children in Monash, says one of the too few carers literally left holding the baby.
Mt Waverley foster carer Lindy Fergeus said the number of young children in need of temporary and long-term relocation from their family home had risen dramatically, pushing Monash to be in the greatest need of foster carers in eastern Melbourne.
Both Anglicare Victoria and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare have reported a more than 50 per cent increase in the number of displaced children in Monash over the past two years.
Ms Fergeus, who has taken more than 25 children into her home over the past eight years, said increased drug and alcohol dependency was creating abusive home environments.
"There has been a real increase in the number of kids who are coming into care from traumatic backgrounds," Ms Fergeus said. "We need more people to come forward and help provide these children with a happy, loving environment."
Ms Fergeus' son, Josh, who works for Anglicare Victoria, said at least another 10 foster families must be found immediately within Monash to cope with excess demand.
He said Monash had the fastest-growing number of displaced children in Melbourne's east.
"Unfortunately, many children have to be sent to other council areas because there aren't enough carers locally," he said.
"We have seen a more than 50 per cent increase in the number of children needing foster care over recent years."
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare chief executive Coleen Clare said more than double the number of present carers was needed to meet the surge in displaced children.
She said the number of foster carers across the state had declined by 7 per cent.
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare has set up an information hotline for potential carers on 1800 013 088.
