From 13 to 19 September, Lutheran Care is proudly celebrating Foster and Kinship Carer Week 2026, joining the Department for Child Protection and other partners across South Australia in the acknowledgement of the incredible contribution carers make in the lives of children and young people.
This year’s theme, ‘Creating Brighter Futures Through Care,’ exemplifies the life-changing impact foster and kinship carers have every day. It is through their dedication and compassion, carers open their homes to provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows children and young people to grow, thrive and be supported.
As a part of the week’s celebrations, all Lutheran Care Foster and Kinship Carer households received a gift of appreciation as a heartfelt thank you.
Each gift included:
- A custom printed tea towel and bookmark which has been made for our carers from drawings from the children and young people of Lutheran Care
- A bocce set for some outdoor family fun
- A $60 Gift Card from Drakes Supermarket
We would like to thank Drakes Supermarket and Rebel Sport Gepps Cross in supporting us to give our carers the best possible value.
In addition, Lutheran Care Foster Care Services staff wrote individual thank you notes to carers, acknowledging the strength, care and stability they provide in a vulnerable young person’s life throughout the year. Carers were also encouraged to take part in the many events hosted by the Department for Child Protection across the state during the week.
Foster and Kinship Carer Week forms part of Lutheran Care’s wider celebrations for carers, alongside our annual Carer Appreciation Event.
On 25 July, Lutheran Care hosted its annual Carer Appreciation Event at Jarmer’s Kitchen in Bowden. It gave carers the opportunity to enjoy either a three-course lunch or dinner, gathering with fellow carers while children and young people were cared for separately at We Rock the Spectrum Gym and Indoor Playground.
Carers were joined by the Hon Alice Rolls MP, Minister for Child Protection in South Australia, Russell Hooper, CEO of Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers South Australia, and Darian Shephard-Bayly, Deputy Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection in South Australia. Carers reconnected with familiar faces, welcomed new carers and participated in a lucky raffle prize draw.
Foster and Kinship Carer Week is recognised annually as a time to celebrate the commitment of carers and the positive difference they make in the lives of children and young people. Lutheran Care extends it sincere thanks to all our foster and kinship carers for the remarkable care they provide and for the brighter futures they help create every day.
To find out more about Foster and Kinship Carer Week, visit DCP’s website.