Foster Care Abuse Lawyers QLD & WA

Peter Kelso grew up in foster care, away from his natural family. He understands the pain and suffering experienced by countless children who have grown up in the welfare system. 

Click here to read Peter’s story.

Over the last century, many thousands of children across Australia have been removed from their families and placed into foster care. It was the Government’s job to supervise these placements and to ensure the children were happy and safe.

Unfortunately, these foster placements were often the furthest thing from safe.

Many children have been subjected to horrific physical and sexual abuse by their foster families. Some children reported the abuse, only to have their complaints dismissed or ignored by caseworkers. Others were unable to speak up because caseworkers only interviewed them in the presence of their abusers.

In some cases, caseworkers ceased monitoring the placements altogether, leaving children with nowhere to turn and nobody to talk to.

Concerning reports about placements and carers were often put in the ‘too hard basket’ with caseworkers unwilling to investigate and risk having to go through the process of finding an alternative placement for the child involved. They were more concerned with their workload than with the safety of the children they were supposed to be caring for.

If you were abused in foster care, you may be entitled to compensation. We have pursued cases for State Wards against every State and Territory Government in Australia.

Many survivors do not speak up for a long time. They often fear retribution from the offender, or they will not be believed. Many blame themselves and live with feelings of shame and embarrassment that they should not have to carry. It is never your fault; often, the hardest step is to break the silence, reach out, find your voice and seek help.