Foster Care Interagency Regional Working group chairwoman Jacqui Edwards said a shortages of carers, particularly crisis carers, arose from a systemic recruitment issue rather then an influx of children into care.

‘‘There’s no shift of children requiring care or foster parents leaving us, agencies are always looking to recruit new carers because we want to make sure children are matched with the appropriate family.’’ 

Ensuring children are placed with the best possible carer for their situation is key, according to Ms Edwards, whose agency receives 60 new children a month. 

‘‘We try not to have multiple placements in order to minimise disruptions for children; we try to make sure they remain in a safe and stable environment,’’ she said. 

Different types of care are required, from weekend respite to longer term placements and crisis carers.

‘‘Crisis carers need to be available 24 hours a day which can be hard for a lot of people; they look after children who have been taken into care because of concerns for their immediate safety,’’ she said. 

Crisis carer Sharon Mitchell said foster carers had a critical role in turning a child’s life around.

‘‘Kids who come into care are down on their luck but their luck changes as soon they come into an environment with support and unconditional love,’’ she said.

‘‘I see kids who had problems before, going to school with a good bag and new shoes and a packed lunch and they start bringing home certificates and making friends straight away; the tiny things we take for granted make a huge difference.’’

Ms Mitchell was saddened by the ‘‘massive shortages’’ in carers available.

‘‘I’m sad people aren’t putting their hand up, it’s just extending your own family a little bit and that’s doable,’’ she said.

The Foster Care Information Night well be held on Wednesday at the Ribbonwood Centre, Dapto.