What is foster care?
Foster carers provide safe, supportive homes for children and young people who can’t live with their families. Care can last from a few days to several years, offering stability during difficult times.
Children in foster care range from newborns to 18-year-olds. They may come into care alone or with siblings, each bringing their own unique strengths and needs.
Foster care is flexible—whether full-time or part-time, even one weekend a month can make a big difference! While the goal is often to reunite children with their families, some may need longer-term care.
Could you open your heart and home to a child in need?
Respite
Respite carers provide planned care for a child or young person for a short period of time, usually one or two weekends a month. Respite carers support the child’s parents, guardians or foster carers by giving them a break and providing the child with the opportunity to experience a different home.
Emergency
Emergency carers provide care for children and young people when there are immediate risks to their safety. Usually emergency carers will be called at short notice to provide care and the child would stay for a short period of time while a longer-term care plan is established.
Short-term
Short-term carers generally provide care to a child or young person for a period of up to six months. There is usually a plan in place for the child or young person to return to his or her birth families or guardians after they have accessed the support they need to improve their ability to care for a child.
Medium-long term
Medium-long term carers provide stability, safety and security for vulnerable children and young people needing foster care. These children usually can’t return home for a longer period of time and might need support for years or until they reach adulthood.