Foster care

Foster carers will need to provide adequate and safe accommodation, in a home they either rent or own. Each child, regardless of age, will need to have their own room. Long-term foster carers need to be mentally and physically able to care for the child until they can live independently.

Our foster carers will be able to:

• offer ongoing care
• provide a safe and stable home that supports a child’s sense of security and belonging
• promote positive wellbeing and development
• work as part of a team that includes Uniting Communities staff, the Department for Child Protection, the child’s birth family and other organisations
• undertake ongoing training and development
• support the child’s connections to their family and culture
• be resilient and seek support from family and friends
• respond sensitively to the child’s needs.

Children with complex needs come to foster care for a variety of reasons. Many have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect, so we work closely with you to provide additional support in managing their emotional and behavioural needs.

What kind of support is available for foster carers?

We provide the latest training for our foster carers, who receive an allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You can also access a support network of counsellors and other carers.

We will provide:

• 24/7 telephone support
• a dedicated social worker who is your main point of contact and will organise support whenever you need it
• regular home visits
• training opportunities to further develop your skills and know-how
• a tax-free allowance
• help to identify and apply for a range of Centrelink benefits.

These six steps outline the process:

1. Enquiry
   If you are thinking about becoming a foster carer, you probably have a few questions – contact us on 08 8202 5190 or enquire online for more information and advice. Once you decide that you’d like to become a foster carer, please ask us for an application pack.
2. Home visit
   We will visit you so that you can get to know us and ask any questions you may have about foster care. We’ll explain the process and how we support our foster carers.
3. Assessment
   We will visit you in your home between eight and ten times to help you prepare for being a foster carer and to establish your suitability.
4. Training
   You will complete the ‘Shared Stories Shared Lives’ course, which provides in-depth training about foster care.
5. Approval
   Once you are approved to be a foster carer, we will work with you to place a child or young person in your care.
6. Fostering with us
   We will be here for you every step of the way throughout your fostering journey.

• • What types of challenges could I face when caring for a young person in foster care?
  • Can I choose the gender, age or another characteristic of the child or young person?
  • How long does a young person stay in foster care?
  • What happens when a young person turns 18 years old?
  • Do foster children return to their birth family?
  • Does a foster child have contact with their birth family?
  • Will my personal information be given to the birth family?
  • What sort of home do I need?
  • How old can a foster carer be?
  • What financial support do I receive?
  • When I become a carer can I remain in employment?
  • What happens if I’m not approved to be a foster carer?
  • How does Uniting Communities ensure the safety of children in foster care?
  • Where can I find out more about foster caring?

   

  What type of challenges could I face when caring for a young person in foster care?

  Children with complex needs come to foster care may have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect, so we work closely with you to provide you with the skills to manage their emotions and behaviours.
  Back to FAQs
  

  Can I choose the gender, age or another characteristic of the child or young person?

  Foster carers are needed for children and young people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, needs and ethnicities. During the assessment process, we discuss with you the best match for you and your family.
  Back to FAQs
  

  How long does a young person stay in foster care?

  A long-term foster carer builds a lifelong relationship with the child and provides foster care until the young person turns 18 years old, and is ready to support themselves.

  A respite foster carer provides a regular or occasional break for children already in long-term care and can be various lengths – it could be one weekend a month, a week in school holidays or a one-off overnight stay.
  Back to FAQs
  

  What happens when a young person turns 18 years old?

  When a young person reaches adulthood we encourage foster carers to maintain their relationships with the young person throughout all stages of their lives. Once a young person turns 15 years of age, we work with you both to develop an after-care plan to prepare for when they reach 18.
  Back to FAQs
  

  Do foster children return to their birth family?

  In long-term foster care, there is low chance of a child returning to the care of their birth family once court proceedings have been finalised.
  Back to FAQs
  

  Does a foster child have contact with their birth family?

  We encourage children in foster care to maintain links with their birth family and significant others whenever possible and appropriate, so they can better understand their background and their current circumstances.

  As young people in foster care approach adulthood, they will often make contact or reach out to their birth family. Maintaining their connections while in care will greatly assist this process.
  Back to FAQs
  

  Will my personal information be given to the birth family?

  We respect the privacy of our foster carers, and have a strict policy on the disclosure of personal information.
  Back to FAQs
  

  What sort of home do I need?

  You will provide adequate and safe accommodation, in a home that is either rented or owned by you. Each child, regardless of age, will need to have their own room.
  Back to FAQs
  

  How old can a foster carer be?

  Most foster carers are between 25 and 70 years old, and long-term foster carers will be mentally and physically able to care for the child until they can live independently.
  Back to FAQs
  

  What financial support do I receive?

  You will receive a fortnightly tax-free allowance to assist with the costs associated with raising the child in your care. This is $928 per week for specialist long term foster care, and $131 per night for specialist respite foster care. You are likely to be able to apply for a range of Centrelink benefits which could include:

  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Carers Payment
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Parenting Payment
  • Youth Allowance
  • Child Care Benefit
  • Child Care Rebate
  • Immunisation Allowance
  • Health Care Cards.

  Back to FAQs
  

  When I become a carer can I remain in employment?

  Yes, you are able to remain in employment.
  Back to FAQs
  

  What happens if I’m not approved to be a foster carer?

  If we don’t authorise you as a foster carer we will tell you the reasons for the decision. You will have the right to request a review.
  Back to FAQs
  

  How does Uniting Communities ensure the safety of children in foster care?

  We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and we are a signatory of the Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care. As part of this commitment all staff will respect the right for children and young people under care to:

  • feel good about themselves
  • live in a place where they are safe, respected and cared for
  • get help when they want or need
  • understand the decisions that affect them
  • express their opinion about things that affect them
  • have their own space to be themselves
  • know about their culture and community
  • know someone cares about them and they have someone to talk to
  • develop their talents and interests.

  Back to FAQs
  

  Where can I find out more about foster caring?

  There are many groups and websites that provide information and advice on foster caring in Australia, including:

  • South Australian Government
  • Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers
  • The Australian Foster and Kinship Carer Partnership

  Back to FAQs