Abstract
This study reviews the current and projected availability of foster carers in New South Wales. It was commissioned by the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) and undertaken by a research team based at the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at the University of New South Wales. The study commenced in October 2003 and was completed in April 2004. The aim of the study is to develop a demographic profile of current carers in NSW and to predict the likely availability of foster carers in specific locations based on that profile and exogenous projected demographic developments. The study’s main goal in this area is to identify the changes and forward projections of socio-demographic trends in NSW that may impact on the availability of carers.