The Australian Government's Institute of Health and Welfare has issued it's annual Child Protection Report, and things really aren't getting any better.

There are now approximately 28,441 children in care as opposed to the 25,454 in care at the time of last year's report.  5,052 children are in care in Victoria alone, and the overall number of children in care has risen 51% around the nation since 2002, and 102% since 1997.  There were 2,994 children admitted into care in Victoria alone last year, and over 38,500 notifications made to protective services.  At the same time, the number of foster carers continues to steadily decline by around 10% per year. 

If you are thinking of putting up your hand to help a child or children in need, there has never been a time when you have been needed more.