Foster carers across Victoria play a crucial role in providing safe and supportive homes for children who cannot live with their families. Brophy is urgently seeking foster carers to help local kids stay connected to their communities.
Thinking about becoming a foster carer but unsure where to start? We can help out!
Here are 5 key points to know about becoming a foster carer in Victoria:
1. Anyone 21 or older can apply to become a foster carer
Foster carers come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. Whether you’re single, part of a family, married, young or old, working full or part-time, or have children of your own, you can become a foster carer. We welcome applicants from multicultural and multi-faith backgrounds, as well as LGBTIQA+ individuals.
What matters most is that you are flexible, caring, patient, and committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for a child who cannot live with their family.
2. You don’t need to be an expert or have parenting experience
Becoming a foster carer doesn’t require prior parenting experience or expertise in child care. Comprehensive training is provided to all prospective carers, equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to begin. Once you become a foster carer, you join a care team and receive ongoing support and resources from your agency.
You don’t need to be a superhero to be a great foster carer. The most important thing is having the child’s best interests at heart and being willing to learn along the way.
3. You choose the type of foster care you provide which fits your life and schedule
As a foster carer, you can choose the type and duration of care you wish to provide, as well as the age, gender, and number of children you feel comfortable caring for. Some carers, for instance, may prefer fostering school-aged children or providing short-term care, while others might opt for respite care, offering support one weekend a month to give long-term carers a break. Your choice will depend on what suits your lifestyle best.
You can also change the type of care you provide at any time. Many carers start with short-term placements and later feel comfortable taking on long-term placements. The choice is entirely yours.
4. You can pause the recruitment process or say no to a placement at any time
We understand that life can be unpredictable and you may have other commitments. Prospective foster carers often don’t realise that they can decline a foster care placement if it’s not the right time for them.
While the recruitment process typically takes 6-9 months, you control the pace and can pause it if needed. It’s essential to be open with your foster care agency about your circumstances. You need to look after yourself first to best care for a child.
5. The goal of foster care is to reunite kids with their biological families when safe
Foster care involves providing a child with a safe, stable, and loving environment while they cannot live with their family. The aim is to reunite the child with their parents or family when it’s safe and appropriate to do so. Foster carers play a vital role in helping children maintain a positive connection with their birth family while in foster care.
Call 5561 8888 or email fostercare@brophy.org.au for more information.