Community
26 July, 2026
New alliance as foster care demand grows
A POWERFUL new alliance of foster carers, Community Service Organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV) was launched last week.
The new alliance believes that without urgent action, more vulnerable children will miss out on the safety, stability and belonging that only family-based care can provide.
The Foster Care Alliance has been established in response to mounting pressure across Victoria’s foster care system.
Foster carer numbers continue to decline while demand for home-based care remains high.
At the same time, children entering care are presenting with increasingly complex needs, placing unprecedented pressure on carers who are navigating inconsistent support and growing financial strain.
Without stronger investment and meaningful reform, the sector fears more children will face prolonged instability or be placed in residential care because there are simply not enough foster families available.
With more than 40 foster carers actively involved, the alliance is co-chaired by a foster carer and an agency representative, ensuring lived experience sits alongside sector expertise to drive practical reforms that improve outcomes for children.
The alliance has also launched a new website which can be found at www.fostercarealliance.com.au
This provides a central platform to share its priorities, advocate for reform and amplify the voices of foster carers across Victoria.
Alliance co-chair and foster carer Alison McCarroll said the alliance was created to ensure the experiences of foster carers help inform solutions that better support children in care.
“Every day, foster carers help children and young people navigate some of life’s most difficult experiences,” Ms McCarroll said.
“Through this journey, we gain unique insight into what works, what doesn’t and what children need to feel safe, supported and connected.
“When carers are part of the conversation, policies and services are stronger.”
Ms McCarroll believes this alliance creates a platform for carers, agencies and Aboriginal organisations to work together, influence change and champion better outcomes for children and young people in care.
The alliance is advocating for reforms that will help stabilise and grow Victoria’s foster care workforce while ensuring children receive the care and support they need to thrive.
The Foster Care Alliance will focus on three interconnected priorities.
The first is providing stronger support for carers advocating for accessible training, respite, practical assistance and wraparound support throughout the caring journey.
They will also focus on respect and recognition, promoting greater inclusion of foster carers as valued partners in the child protection system and ensuring their experience informs policy and practice.
The alliance will also advocate for fair funding for care arrangements that reflect the real costs of caring, and support quality care for children with increasingly complex needs.
The alliance also recognises the critical role foster care plays in supporting Aboriginal children while family and kinship connections are identified and strengthened.
“Building a strong foster care system supports cultural safety planning, maintains connection to family, community and Country, and helps reduce reliance on residential care,” Ms McCarroll said.
Foster carer and alliance co-chair Debora Schultz said stronger support for carers ultimately leads to better outcomes for children.
“Each foster carer who stays in the system gives more children the chance to grow up in the stability of family care,” she said.
“Without enough carers, more children face disruption and are at greater risk of entering residential care.
“As carers, we see firsthand where children and families encounter barriers and where systems can do better. By bringing together foster carers, agencies, Aboriginal organisations and the FCAV, we create a stronger collective voice to drive practical solutions and keep children at the heart of every decision.”
