What
is Foster Care?
Foster
care provides care
for a child within
a home environment
for a planned period
of
time when the child
cannot live with
his or her parents
or their extended
family. The
program responds
to the needs of
families and children
in crisis due to
illness, stress
and family disruption
by providing care,
whether that be
for one weekend
a month, emergency
or short term care
or long term care.
The agency focus
is generally on
children between
the ages of 0-12
years and often
includes sibling
groups.
Why
do we need Foster
Care?
There
are many reasons
why parents may
be temporarily
unable to care
for their children
such as a crisis
brought about
by sickness, emotional
problems, domestic
violence or accommodation
difficulties. Parents
may need
a break from the
demands of parenting
because the
child has special
needs or because
the parent is isolated
or stressed. The
child may need
a safe place to
live whilst the
Department
of Human Services
works with the
family to
help resolve the
problems that resulted
in the child needing
protection.
Who
can be a Foster
Caregiver?
Foster
carers are trained
and accredited
volunteers from
the community who
open their homes
to
provide
a range
of care options
to children and
young people. Foster
carers come from
a wide variety
of backgrounds and
lifestyles, as
do the children
placed with them.
Foster carers can
be married, single,
working or not
working,
be young or not
so young. There
is no typical profile
of a Foster Carer,
the main criteria
is being able to
nurture and support
children going
through a difficult
time and to be
flexible
and tolerant of
a range of behaviours.
What
is involved in becoming
a Foster Caregiver?
All
volunteers undergo
a selection and
training process
before being
accredited as
caregivers with
the agency. The
assessment begins
with an agency
worker visiting
your home to interview
you and, if applicable,
your partner.
All potential
carers will then
be required to
undergo a Police
check. We also
ask that all persons
over 18 living
in your home undergo
a Police check.
The name of two,
non-family, referees
will also be
required. The
training program
gives you a chance
to decide whether
foster caring
is right for you
and your family
and what type
of care is best
suited to your
lifestyle. Training
programmes are
run
twice yearly
with additional
modules offered
throughout the
year as the need
arises.
