Become a foster family with Uniting Communities.
When a child can’t stay with their birth family, our foster carers can provide a safe, stable and supportive home. Foster care is often both rewarding and challenging, and you can form strong bonds with a child as they become part of your family.
We provide care for children up to 18 years of age who live with an intellectual or physical disability or complex needs. They are under the Guardianship of the Minister, and it is best for their safety and development to live in foster care.
What is involved in being a foster carer?
Our foster carers are caring, empathetic people who provide long-term care or short-term respite care in metropolitan Adelaide.
Long-term care
A long-term carer provides care until the young person turns 18 years old. A strong bond and lifelong relationship can develop as they find stability within your family.
Respite foster care
Children already in long-term care may need a regular or occasional break from their daily routines. Providing respite foster care for one weekend a month, a week in school holidays or a one-off overnight stay can make a big difference to their lives.
Who can be a foster carer?
Foster carers don’t all look the same, and can come from all backgrounds and situations, or be different ages and sexualities.
Foster carers don’t have to already have children, be in a relationship or own a home. The most important attribute is that they are patient, understanding and flexible, and committed to providing care to young people.
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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.
Why become a foster carer with Uniting Communities?
We can provide you with a range of support through the application process and in your foster caring role.
When you decide to apply to become a foster carer, we will support you through the application process, giving you the information and training you need to be successful. By getting to know you and your family, we can also work with you on the best types of foster care placement for you.
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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.
What is the process for becoming a foster carer?
There are six steps in the application process to become a foster carer.
The process can take between four and six months. It includes health and medical checks by your GP, a housing safety check, a criminal record check, a ‘Working with Children’ check, and personal reference checks.
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These six steps outline the process:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Training
You will complete the ‘Shared Stories Shared Lives’ course, which provides in-depth training about foster care.
- 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.
- Fostering with us
We will be here for you every step of the way throughout your fostering journey.
Frequently asked questions
We have answered some of the more frequently asked questions here, and are available to answer any other questions you may have.
Please contact us on (08) 8202 5190 or via email at foster@unitingcommunities.org for more information.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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When I become a carer can I remain in employment?
Yes, you are able to remain in employment.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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