The New South Wales government is expanding its Warratah Care Cottage program to provide stable homes for vulnerable children, with a focus on keeping siblings together. The initiative follows criticism of previous practices that placed children in temporary accommodations.

Council of the City of Sydney

The New South Wales government is increasing its investment in the Warratah Care Cottage program, aiming to provide secure and stable homes for vulnerable children, particularly siblings who might otherwise be separated. The initiative comes in response to a critical report highlighting the shortcomings of placing children in hotels, motels, and caravan parks due to a shortage of foster carers.

The program, which began with five cottages, will now see $50 million allocated to build an additional 44 homes across the state. Some cottages will be new constructions, while others will repurpose existing government properties. The expansion is designed to ensure children have a safe environment and the opportunity to remain connected with their siblings.

NSW expands care cottages to keep vulnerable siblings together

Opening the door to security and certainty for young siblings. What we're creating here is a safe, stable place for some of the most vulnerable kids in the state. This home in Western Sydney will soon house three children from the same family, allowing them to stay connected as other connections in their lives are sadly lost. At the moment, regrettably, we don't have enough foster carers to meet the needs of children who can't live safely at home. And so these places, these homes are to give children a stable home where they can live, where siblings can stay together, where they can have their needs met. Staffed around the clock, this is the state's fourth Warratah Care Cottage. The program was launched last year after a damming report exposed alarming failings in a system that placed children in hotels, motels and caravan parks. There's been no evidence that has come to me to date that shows that these arrangements are good for children and young people. Under an initial plan to build five care cottages, the state government has now allocated $50 million to build a further 44. These homes are going to be built across the state. In Sydney, in the regions, we know Hunt has been identified as an area where there is desperate need as well. Some will be new builds, others renovations of sites the government already owns. You're seeing properties that were just sitting idle being able to return to use. The site we're here today was dilapidated and wasted and not being used for anything. Now it's ready and waiting. Four solid walls for children who deserve a more secure future. Lachlan Kennedy, 10 News.

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