Tuesday, 31 October 2006
Turner: Labour talk is cheap on foster care
United Future deputy leader Judy Turner is critical of the Labour-led Government's lack of action in properly looking
after foster carers and kinship carers, while claiming to pay 'tribute' to caregivers as New Zealand marks Foster Care
Awareness Week.
"Labour needs to put its money where its mouth is, and honour its manifesto pledge made in September last year to pay
kin-carers such as grandparents at the same rates as other foster carers," said Mrs Turner.
"I have met with policy officials involved in raising the kinship carer rates and discussed the relevant issues, and
urge the Government to finally move forward and pay kinship carers at the same rate as foster carers.
"Minister Ruth Dyson says that caregivers are 'not fully recognised, valued or appreciated'. I fully agree, but it is
the Government that is not valuing these carers by providing appropriate support, particularly to kin-carers.
"Child, Youth and Family foster carers and kinship carers alike need more support to continue their service in this
most crucial role, such as increased access to respite care.
"Caregivers selflessly take up the slack left behind or unable to be taken by others, but this is often a stressful job
and many of the children they care for have behavioural difficulties.
"Official figures show that over 23% of Child Youth and Family foster children lived in 3 or more foster homes in the 12
months to September this year. 156 children were passed around 6 or more homes in that 12 months, with dozens being
shifted to 8, 9, 10 even 11 different foster homes in a year.
"This shows the urgent need for better respite care to become available for foster families, to give these foster
parents and other children some time off when they need it - particularly those families who have taken on particularly
difficult foster kids.
"The best tribute that can be given to mark Foster Care Awareness Week, starts with Labour finally honouring the
pre-election promise it made to grandparents raising grandchildren and providing more support and respite opportunities
for these caregivers," said Mrs Turner.
ENDS