Earlier this month, the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) issued a mayday call for the Gunnedah care of two children for a minimum period of three months.

A FACS spokesperson could not comment on specific cases and was unable to confirm if these children had been been found homes but said finding suitable care was a problem throughout the region as demand increased and existing carers retired.

“According to 2016/17 projections, 100 foster carers are needed in the Hunter New England District and, across NSW, an additional 660 foster carers are needed,” the spokesperson said.

“This is because demand for foster care is rising as more children and young people enter care and staying in foster care longer. While the numbers of children and young people in care grow, our carers are also retiring.

“(FACS) is doing all it can to fill this need, including recently partnering with The Daily Telegraph to encourage people to become foster carers.”

Types of care vary from immediate emergency care to respite care, interim or restoration care, long-term foster care, relative or kinship care, guardianship and open adoption from care.

Among the agencies acting as an intermediary is Challenge Foster Care, headed by CEO Stephen Doley,   which has four foster carers and four children in care in the Gunnedah region.

John and Verity Wolfenden are already part of the Challenge foster care network in the local region.

For the last three years, the couple has cared for children aged 2 to 18 years, individuals and siblings, in one night, one month and year-long arrangements.

“No two situations are the same, so you have to learn to be flexible,” Verity said.

As demand grows for placement, the family has started taking on children for longer stays.

The pair has great admiration for the commitment of other carers they have met who have been providing foster care for many years.

“While we have only been doing this for a relatively short time, compared to other carers, it is rewarding being able to give back and help kids who are in need,” Verity said.

FACS released a report on Wednesday which detailed sweeping reforms to the child protection system.

It included $24 million over four years for the Adoptions Transformation Program which aims to clear more than 400 outstanding adoptive matters. As of March, FACS reported it had completed 44 more adoptions than this time last year.

The NSW Government has also committed $90 million over four years to help 900 children per year, which half will be Aboriginal children, through intensive family preservation and restoration services aimed at keeping families together.