"Thank you for providing a home and a safe space for children to thrive."
Image: Life Without Barriers Carer Ambassadors standing behind a stall at Midsumma.
Foster and Kinship Care Week, held from 14-20 September*, is an annual event dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of foster and kinship carers.
Across the country communities come together to acknowledge and celebrate the selfless individuals and families who open their hearts and homes to children and young people, offering them a safe and supportive environment so they can thrive.
Image: Three foster carers wearing black t-shirts with pink text which reads: Tassie Kids Needs Foster Carers.
"Thank you for providing a home and a safe space for children to thrive. Thank you for trusting us with your carer journey and to be there for you in the times that are great and the times that are hard," said Karrie McGrorey, Recruitment & Assessment Lead, Carer Experience Team.
Foster and kinship carers provide far more than a place to live. They create connections built on care, stability, and belonging. These relationships can be transformative, giving children and young people the opportunity to grow with confidence.
"I know having spoken to a number of members of our National Youth Advisory Group, that children and young people really appreciate the support and care that you provide and the effort that you go through to make them feel welcomed, to provide a home for them, and to support them in everything that they need to achieve," said Anthony Raitman, Executive Director Strategy and Risk, Child, Youth and Family.
Image: Life Without Barriers staff walking in a pride march, holding a banner that says 'We love our Foster Carers!'
Foster and Kinship Care Week is a time to celebrate carers, but also to raise awareness about the importance of providing out-of-home care and the life-changing role that carers play in shaping the futures of children and young people.
With a growing need for foster carers, this year’s theme, 'Time to Care,' emphasises that now is the time to recognise, support, and strengthen foster care. Now, more than ever, it’s #TimeToCare.
"There is a genuine need to increase the number of carers at this time," said David Meere, National Manager, Carer Experience.
"If opening your heart and home has ever been a consideration, now is a great time to commit to understanding the process, support and experience you will have with Life Without Barriers."
We encourage anyone who has been thinking about caring for a young person to reach out or attend one of our free online webinars.
Image: Staff at the 2025 Ipswich Show, wearing pink 'Be a foster carer' t-shirts.
Life Without Barriers understands the extra need for community when providing care. Programs like MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ and Care 2 Thrive provide wrap-around supports to foster and kinship carers to create caring homes with family, culture and community.
"With programs like MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ We’re really trying to help build community, so people don’t feel isolated and alone. To have someone that has walked in your shoes and can empathise with you is a big support," said Chris Skinner, Manager of Program Advancement and Implementation.
Foster and kinship carers make a world of difference in the lives of children and young people. Their commitment brings hope, builds confidence, and creates lasting connections that shape futures.
Foster and Kinship Care Week is a chance for carers, support workers, and advocates to share these stories, celebrating the real, positive impact that carers have on the young lives within our communities.
You can read stories from Life Without Barriers carers here.
Foster and kinship carers are the unsung heroes in our communities, individuals who go above and beyond to support children and young people during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Their work is not just about meeting physical needs, but about offering emotional stability, understanding, and unconditional love.
To all the foster and kinship carers across Australia: we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you.
We thank you for opening your hearts and homes. And we thank you for choosing Life Without Barriers to walk this journey alongside you.
For anyone interested in becoming a foster carer, now is the perfect time to reach out! Becoming a foster carer is a rewarding and transformative experience. You can call our friendly team on 1300 592 227 or email carers@lwb.org.au.
If you are considering becoming a carer with Life Without Barriers in Western Australia, you can find more information here.
*Foster Care Week is celebrated in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania during September.
Queensland celebrated Foster and Kinship Carer Week in May.
Western Australia celebrated Foster and Kinship Carer Week in July.
