Foster and Kinship Care

Foster care is a form of family-based care for children and young people who can’t live at home for various reasons. Where possible, children are reunited with their families as soon as possible.

When children are in care, they need a safe and stable home environment so they can be themselves and thrive.

Almost anyone who wants to make a difference in a child’s life can become a foster carer.  

Foster carers come from all walks of life and are everyday Australians who are doing extraordinary things. 

Generally, to be a foster carer, you just need to be at least 18 years of age and willing to commit to home safety, background checks and training. 

To see if you are eligible or to start the process of becoming a foster carer, click here. 

The time it takes to become a foster carer differs for everyone. It’s a deeply personal journey that can take between three to six months and sometimes up to a year. 

The length of time it takes you to become a carer is dependant on a range of factors. This might include your availability and the time it takes the Department of Child Safety to conduct their relevant background checks. 

Whether you’re in the process of becoming a foster carer or are already providing care to children and young people, there are a range of different care options that you can provide at any given time. 

You may choose to become a part time or full time carer. Whatever you decide can still make a positive difference in a young person’s life. 

You could also choose to offer short-term, long-term, emergency, or short-break (respite) care. 

For many carers, they start off providing short-break (respite) care before committing to full-time foster care. This is a great way to gain experience and confidence. 

Emergency care is a type of care that is provided to children and young people who urgently need a safe space to stay for short periods of time. This may happen when a child first comes into care or while they’re waiting to move to a new family. Emergency carers are trained to deliver specialised abuse and trauma-informed care. 

Respite carers help look after children for short periods of time, such as a weekend or up to a few weeks so that their long-term carers can have a break. 

Short-term carers care for children for a few weeks or months, up to two years while long term arrangements are being made. 

Long-term care is designed for children who cannot return to live with their families. Long-term carers provide them with a safe and stable home until they reach adulthood. 

Children and young people arrive in care for many different reasons. It may be due to neglect, abuse or trauma. When their families can’t help to care for them, that’s where we assist.

You will be matched with a child who needs your unique life experience and skills at this critical point in their childhood to create positive memories and feel safe and loved during challenging times.

We’re here for you to work hand in hand – together – to build a strong, safe and nurturing environment as a launch pad for your foster child to thrive.

As a support agency, we’re here to help you fulfil your role as a carer. However, it’s important that you’re still able to financially support yourself and your family. 

The financial support available for your foster child includes Queensland Government payments like the Fortnightly Carers Allowance. The amount you get will depend on several factors such as your child’s age. The payment would be expected to meet the basic day to day costs for things like shoes, clothing and so on. 

We will work with you so it’s clear from the start as to who has financial responsibility for costs that fall outside the Fortnightly Carers Allowance. 

There are also a range of other financial options available you may be able to apply for including: 

• caring for children with high support or complex special needs 

• if you live in a regional or remote area 

• unexpected expenses for example that will come out of the child needing extra support over and above government and other payments (on a case-by-case basis). 

At Anglicare, we also provide additional support to help our carers access discounts and incentives from a range of major retail and service providers. Learn more about our Carers Benefits Program here.  

Plus, you can also apply to have pre-planned expenses reimbursed through a scheme called ‘Child Related Costs’. This would be in discussion with us and your Child Safety Officer. 

These costs are considered on a case-by-case basis and include things like: 

• educational costs for general schooling and vocational training 

• healthcare costs including general medical, physical and mental health specialists 

• travel costs for visiting family, court attendances and some overseas travel costs (based on Guardian consent for the child to travel) 

• recreation costs including leisure and recreational activities including pocket money 

• purchase of gifts, hobbies, entertainment, holiday expenses. 

If you need to talk to someone, we are always here to help you, and you can call us any time day or night through our 24-hour support phone line. 

You can read more about the financial support available to carers in our Resources section here. 

When you become supported with Anglicare, you’ll be partnered with a dedicated case practitioner to help you make caring for a child a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You also become part of a wider community of Anglicare carers in Queensland. 

We’re here to connect you to the extensive support that we offer that includes ongoing training programs, resources and access to wider community groups at each step in your journey with us. 

We understand that sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Our 24/7 phone support is available for you to call us at any time of the day or night. 

The role of an Anglicare Foster Care Case Practitioner is to provide you with ongoing training and support so you can be the best carer you can be for the child(ren) in your care. They will also link you with relevant supports to help your family thrive.

Anglicare Foster Care Case Practitioners will also work closely with the child’s Department of Child Safety representative and anyone else involved in the child’s care and wellbeing to advocate for their needs or your needs as a carer.

Case Practitioners also help match children with appropriate foster families.