AS part of WA Foster Care Week, which runs from July 29 to August 4, MacKillop Family Services is calling on the community to find out more about the benefits of foster care and think about how they too can help.

More than doubling in 20 years, the number of children and young people in state care in WA has soared from 1993 in 2004 to 5174 in 2023.

Foster and family carers provide a safety net to support children who are unable to live safely with their own families, but the number of foster carers continues to decline across the state.

Renée and Mike Matich from Henley Brook in the Swan Valley area have been foster carers for more than five years.

Owners of the Crooked Spire Coffee & Art House, the couple have their own four boys aged from eight to 17 and they provide short and long-term foster care for children who need safe and nurturing homes.

Mike and Renée have spent most of their adult lives working with children and young people.

“Over the years, we worked with many kids who were at risk and who needed that extra bit of help,” Mr Matich said.

“Foster care was always something we had thought about, but we knew it needed to be the right time for our family.

“Once our youngest reached the right age, we enquired about becoming carers, and we haven’t looked back.”

They also continue to support 21-year-old Sas, a young woman who came to stay with them as a teenager and the whole family maintains a close and loving relationship with Sas, her husband and one-year-old son.

“When Sas first came to live with us, previous life experience had given her a negative outlook and it’s so great to see that has completely turned around. The change in her has been breathtaking,” Mrs Matich said.

“She trusts us and has turned into a fantastic young woman – kind, smart and thoughtful.

“We are so proud of the young woman and amazing mother she has become.”

For Sas, moving in to foster care with Renée and Mike was life changing.

“Having Renée and Mike in my life has been amazing.

“With them, I experienced unconditional love for the first time,” Sas said.

“That stability and their support played a huge part in enabling me to finish High School and start work in Child Protection as a family support officer.

“It also means a lot that I can help kids who are currently in care; I know how they are feeling and how vulnerable they can be.”

MacKillop’s WA state director Kellie Goes wants to see WA Foster Care Week raise awareness in the community about the shortage of foster carers.

“The reality is that more than 5000 children are in out of home care in Western Australia and the number who need care keeps rising faster than we can find and train people to become foster carers,” Ms Goes said.

“We have a critical need throughout Perth for foster carers to provide stability and positive role modelling to kids in their area who deserve love and nurture.

“Children need support and stability to grow into healthy adults who can achieve their potential – just like Sas.”

Ms Goes said that by opening their loving home to Sas, the Matichs were able to help her heal, focus on education, and pursue the career she is passionate about.

“People passionate about supporting our next generation and having an impact on their community should consider foster care,” she said.

“There are many types of foster care which can fit in with all different lifestyles.

Carers also receive financial assistance and are supported by case workers and other therapeutic professionals to help them care for vulnerable children.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit www.mackillop.org.au/get-involved/become-a-foster-carer