Parents who work full-time usually have a plan in place for their own children, including childcare or before and after school care. Placing a child or young person in foster care with third parties, such as childcare, may not be suitable for them. This is because they’ve already experienced so much change and disruption in their short lives.
However, if you’re a full-time worker and still want to provide foster care, there are many other care options available that might be suitable to your lifestyle. For instance, you might consider respite or short break care. You may decide to revisit the idea of full-time care down the track, especially once you’ve gained more experience as a carer or if your commitments change.
Anyone can get involved in the foster care community. People tend to opt out of foster care because they think they’re not suitable. Regardless of your relationship status, sexual orientation, age, or occupation – if you’re a permanent resident or citizen, you can be an amazing foster carer and support Queensland children in need.
Let’s explore the different types of foster care that may be right for you.
What is respite care?
Respite (also known as short break) care gives a child’s primary foster family a break for a short period of time. It’s a regular or occasional care arrangement that typically occurs over weekends, holidays or mid-week. Respite care can also occur for a few weeks or longer periods of time, for instance, if the primary carer needs to travel.
You could be caring for the same foster child regularly on an ongoing basis, for example, one weekend a month or fortnightly. Or you could be caring for different children as a once-off arrangement.
If you’re considering providing respite care, you’ll still need to complete the same foster care application process, background checks, ongoing training and approval process as a primary foster carer.
Respite care can offer many benefits for carers. Although you’re only spending a short time together, there are many ways respite carers can make a long-term difference to a child’s life.
Giving a child the opportunity to extend their social network
The short break can be full of fun, activities and adventures. These experiences help the child build trust with other adults and develop their confidence and social skills.
You could:
- Go to a theme or water park
- Take a child to the beach or hiking
- Spend time fishing or exploring a local park or beach
- Go to the movies
- Make dinner together
- Have a ‘crafternoon,’ play board games or finish a puzzle together.
Giving the child’s primary foster carer the time for self-care and to recharge
Caring for children or young people can be demanding. Primary carers sometimes need a short break for self-care and to do something for themselves. This is important in being able to maintain the quality of care and relationships within the foster family.
Gives you a good introduction to caring for foster children
Respite care is foster caring that can fit in with your schedule. It’s also a good introduction to foster care and deciding if you want to become a primary foster carer in the future.
Alan is a single dad with a teenage son. His first experience with children in foster care was when he was working as a Teacher’s Aide. Since then, he’s provided short term, respite and emergency care to many children. You can read more about his experience as a respite carer here.
Are you keen to find out if foster caring is right for you. Take our quiz to see if you’re a good fit to be a respite carer and what the next steps look like.