A desperate foster carer has spoken out about a system that simply isn’t working.

Alan Jones spoke with ‘Jenny’, who cannot be named due to laws preventing the identification of foster carers.

In New South Wales, there are close to 18,000 children and young people in out-of-home care and thousands can languish in the system for more than 12 years and see more than 30 foster placements.

The state government is in the process of setting a maximum time limit of 24 months for a child to be given a permanent home – either through returning home or adoption.

Alan spoke with NSW Family and Community Services Minister Pru Goward last month about the plan, but ‘Jenny’ says the system is swamped and issues are falling through the cracks.

“I challenge anybody now to call the FACS helpline and see how long they’re on hold for.

“It is appalling, we were on hold for an hour and a half.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview