Berry Street Web Docs Annual Report 2016 | Page 25

Providing Safe Homes PROVIDING SAFE HOMES Providing Safe Homes is one of Berry Street’s key activities. It includes foster and kinship care, residential care, targeted care packages, leaving care, a number of supported housing programs for young people and our crisis accommodation for women escaping family violence in Ballarat. “ I know Berry Street has amazing foster carers and professional people who are extremely dedicated and XQGHUVWDQGLQJLQWKHLUH̫RUWV to intervene in practical and H̫HFWLYHZD\VWRWXUQOLYHV around for the better ” Supporter Feedback ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Wherever possible, children should enjoy their childhood – feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future – at home with their parent(s). Sadly, for an increasing number of children, this isn’t possible. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Child Protection statistics for 2014/15 paint a worrying picture: 6LQFHQRWL̬FDWLRQVWR Child Protection authorities have increased by 35% to 320,169 54,025 children were removed from their parents and placed in Out of Home Care; 46% of whom ZHUHXQGHU̬YH Aboriginal children are ten times more likely to be removed Each of these statistics means, at best, a child doesn’t feel safe and, DWZRUVWPD\KDYHVX̫HUHGWHUULEOH physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect. 1RWL̬FDWLRQVWR Child Protection authorities have increased to 320,169 Aboriginal children are more likey to be removed 35% 10x 24