Rocky carer has quit in disgust

Jack Dempsey.

A ROCKHAMPTON foster carer has quit after three years, saying he can no longer work under the conditions of the Department of Communities.

The man, who must remain anonymous to protect the identity of the foster children, told The Morning Bulletin yesterday he had given up after continuous “bullying” from the Queensland Government.

He said the lack of accountability was driving many carers away.

“We had a kid who’d been sexually abused – to this day he’s never had counselling.”

He said a number of past and present carers in Rockhampton were getting together to lodge a collective complaint.

Shadow Minister for Child Safety Jack Dempsey last week revealed North

Rockhampton’s foster carer shortage was the fourth worst in the state.

He also said despite a $15 million recruitment program, Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves’s office had lost hundreds of carers across Queensland.

The disgruntled foster carer had grown frustrated at instances where children under his care were allowed to visit with their parents and experienced the same abuse or neglect that had caused them to be taken away in the first place.

A spokesman for the department said they were unable to comment on specific cases due to the confidentiality provisions of the Child Protection Act.

“However, the department provides a number of services to support foster and kinship carers if this is needed, including training, education, support groups and, where appropriate, financial assistance. Foster and kinship carers are encouraged to contact the department if they feel they need additional support or cannot cope,” the spokesman said.

“It must be remembered that the Department of Communities’ primary focus is to protect vulnerable children and young people who cannot live safely at home because their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them.”