About fostering babies
Fostering babies is a unique and essential role. Many infants in foster care come from challenging backgrounds, including prenatal exposure to stress, medical complications, or unstable family environments. Others may need care due to temporary family difficulties, such as a parent’s illness, substance dependency, or unsafe living conditions.
A primary goal of fostering babies is reunification – helping families get the support they need so their child can safely return home. As a foster carer, you play a crucial role in providing a stable and loving environment while birth parents work towards reunification. In some cases, babies may transition into long-term care if returning home is not possible.
The goals of baby and newborn foster care
Foster care for babies is designed to provide security, nurture, and care during a crucial stage of development. The primary goals include:
- Ensuring a safe, loving environment – Giving babies the security they need to develop healthy attachments.
- Supporting early development – Meeting a baby’s physical and emotional needs to encourage healthy growth and bonding.
- Working towards reunification – Supporting birth families by providing temporary care while they access the help they need.
- Providing continuity of care – Where reunification isn’t possible, working with professionals to create a long-term care plan.
Many babies in care require extra attention due to premature birth, medical conditions, or exposure to drugs or alcohol in the womb. Foster carers work closely with caseworkers, medical professionals, and family members to ensure the best outcomes for each child.
How to become a foster carer for babies?
Becoming a foster carer for babies involves a thorough process to ensure you’re fully prepared to meet their needs. We’ll guide you through every step, including:
- Expression of interest: Submit your details to start your foster care journey.
- Training and assessment: Participate in training sessions to prepare for the role.
- Home assessment: Ensure your home is a safe, welcoming environment for a child.
- Approval and matching: Once approved, we work with you to find the right child for your family.
Who is eligible to become a foster carer?
Support for foster carers
Caring for a baby is a big responsibility, but you won’t be doing it alone. Anglicare Southern Queensland provides:
- 24/7 on-call assistance – Support when you need it, day or night
- Dedicated caseworkers – Ongoing guidance and advice from experienced professionals
- Training and development – Access to workshops, courses, and learning opportunities
- Financial support – Carer allowances to help cover the costs of raising a child
- Peer support networks – Connect with other foster carers for advice and encouragement.
We ensure you have everything you need to provide the best possible care for the child in your home.
Preparing to care for a baby
Before welcoming a baby into your home, you may need to make some practical preparations, including:
- Setting up a safe sleep space – Babies must sleep in a cot that meets Australian safety standards.
- Stocking up on baby essentials – Nappies, formula (if required), bottles, clothing, and blankets.
- Creating a calm, nurturing environment – Babies need love, attention, and a predictable routine.
Every baby in care has unique needs, and we’ll provide guidance on how to best prepare for your new arrival.
Start your foster care journey today
Becoming a long-term foster carer is an opportunity to change a child’s life forever. If you’re ready to take the first step, express your interest or contact us at 1300 610 610.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the age of the child I foster?
Yes, you can indicate a preference for caring for newborns or infants when you apply.
Will I be involved in contact with the baby's birth family?
In many cases, yes. Babies in foster care are often placed with carers while their parents work towards reunification. Foster carers may help facilitate visits, attend meetings, or provide updates on the baby’s progress.
Do I need experience with newborns?
Experience is helpful, but not essential. We provide training and support to help you develop the skills needed to care for a baby.
How long will a baby stay in my care?
This varies depending on their circumstances. Some babies need short-term care for a few weeks, while others may stay for months or longer. The goal is always to provide stability while a long-term plan is put in place.
What if I need help while fostering a baby?
You will have access to 24/7 support from our team, as well as ongoing training and assistance whenever needed.
Why choose Anglicare Southern Queensland?
Our person-centred approach means we work with you to find out how foster caring can fit with your lifestyle. We connect with you at every stage of your foster care journey, supporting and connecting you to training so you will have the skills you need to be a great carer. We also offer resources and access to wider community groups.
What is the role of the Foster Care Case Practintioner?
If you decide to take the foster care journey, a Foster Care Case Practitioner will be with you every step of the way. The role of a Case Practitioner is to recruit, train, assess, and support foster carers.
Case Practitioners are also responsible for matching children with an appropriate foster family. Case Practitioners are part of a wider team who also provide intensive support to children and carers.
Who can be a foster carer?
Almost anyone who wants to make a difference in a child’s life can become a foster carer.
To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age. You also need to commit to home safety and personal background checks, as well as foster care training, so you have the skills you need to be a great carer.
Many people rule themselves out and think they can’t apply. It doesn’t matter if you are single, male or female, in a same sex partnership, have other children at home or no children at all. What matters is your passion to make a difference.
What is Anglicare’s purpose?
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We’ve been caring for Queenslanders for over 150 years
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We connect with people at every stage of life and respond with compassion and humility
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Our team is experienced, dedicated and equipped to help
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We advocate to inform positive social change
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Our vision is to create a more loving, just and inclusive society.
Contact Us
Submit this form or call us to learn more about foster care at Anglicare. Our team is available between 9am and 5pm weekdays on 1300 000 828
Foster & Kinship Care Enquiry
Got questions?
If you have questions about becoming a foster carer, please call us or download our comprehensive guide.