THERE is nothing a parent wants more for their child than to provide them with a safe, loving, nurturing and happy family home.

For many children across NSW their lives are very different to those who are living in a safe and secure environment; these are the children who have experienced trauma. These are the children who are waiting for someone to provide them with a new life.

As at the end of March, 14,129 children and young people in NSW needed care and protection.

The NSW Carers Register shows that between June 30 2020 and March 30 2024 the number of foster carers has dropped 14 percent, while the need for foster homes is increasing. 

This shortage affects regional areas and there are children who need safe homes in Southern NSW - including the Snowy Monaro.

According to MacKillop CEO and board member of the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies, Dr Robyn Miller, care agencies try to place a child in a foster home within their local area, but if a carer can't be found in the same area, children may have to move to a different region.

"This means they become disconnected not only from their family, but from their school, friends and local community, which can have devastating consequences for children.

“The sector-wide carer shortage means there aren’t enough homes available to help children who are desperately in need of love and belonging.“

For Michelago residents, Tanya and Karl Higgins, foster caring has enriched their lives.

"Being foster carers is a wonderful positive experience," Tanya said.

The couple has fostered their son and daughter through ACT Together, a consortium of agencies working together to provide and co-ordinate services for children in foster care (also known as out-of-home care) in the ACT.

These two children came into their lives 10 years ago, and Tanya and Karl are now working towards their adoption.

"They are fabulous kids; happy and well-adjusted. You wouldn't know they had a traumatic start to life," Tanya said.

"Our son was almost three when he came to us in 2014 and his biological sister was 12-months-old when she was fostered in 2015.

"We believed it was better for them if they could stay together and grow up together. So many grow up in the system without their families."

The children are being raised in a caring, loving, stable family home along with the couple's three biological children.

"It's a very normal family life. They fight with each other but also love each other.

"Our biological children take their cues from us - they never looked at our youngest children as anything other than a brother and sister.

"We are very proud of them all," Tanya said.

Living in a small village environment provides the family with outstanding community support, empathy and kindness.

"Our daughter attends Michelago Public School and it's a phenomenal small school community.

"Everyone has supported both kids through their learning and emotional development.

"Our son now attends MacKillop in Canberra.

"He came to us initially when he needed an emergency placement. It then turned out that he had to stay in care, so he stayed with us.

"We had always considered foster caring; and we receive a lot of support from the agency - they help both the kids and us when we need it; you don't have to do it on your own."

Tanya and Karl's children remain in contact with their birth family.

"We have nurtured a positive relationship with their birth family and kept the channels of communication open," Tanya said.

"Allowing conversations about their life story and history is important. When we talk about their birth family we do it in a positive and respectful way...it's about reassurance.

"Their well-being and needs are front and centre of everything."

Tanya said children end up with care agencies as they are caught up in a cycle of generational trauma, mental health, poverty and addiction issues.

"Whatever you can give to them, it's going to make a difference to their lives.

"It's an amazing privilege to give a child a future of hope.

"The adults in their life have let them down, they didn't deserve that, so why wouldn't you help and share what you have.

"There are so many kids who need to be shown what normal looks like."

Tanya described her role as a foster carer as "just being a Mum".

"There's no reason to be afraid to foster. It depends on the child, and what kind of trauma they have experienced, but there is a team of people to reach out to for help.

"You just have to provide a place that's safe and consistent," she said.

For anyone considering foster care a starting point may be to visit MacKillop Family Services website - MacKillop.org.au/fostercare – or calling 1300 791 677.