The process of becoming a foster carer will generally take between three to five months, depending on your availability to complete important training, documentation, and safety checks that form part of the assessment process.

Yes – your preferences about the age and gender of the child you feel would fit best with your family and lifestyle will be considered. Given the number of children who currently need care in South Australia, we encourage you to keep an open mind so every child has the best opportunity to be matched with a family that can meet their needs.

How long a child will be in your care depends on the type of foster care provided. With short-term and respite care, children may be with you for a day or a week – with permanent placements, children may be with you for a longer stay. These options will be discussed with you during the application process and might be influenced by factors such as your lifestyle.

Your details will not be shared with the foster child’s biological family. Foster care aims to provide care to children while they are unable to stay with their biological family.

Sometimes, contact may be considered if it is essential to support the reunification of the child with their family. This contact would be arranged by the child’s case worker and only if you and the child’s birth family consent.  The meeting would take place under your case worker’s supervision and be held in a neutral and agreed location.

Consent for contact can be withdrawn by either family at any time, even if you have already met.

Just like parenting, being a foster carer can be challenging at times. Children who need foster care may have significant emotional and behavioural needs and require levels of care and support that can impact on your lifestyle.

Foster caring is also a commitment for your entire household, so it’s important to include your whole family, including your children, in discussions about becoming a foster carer.

Whatever the challenge you may be facing, we are always there to support you. We have a dedicated case worker and 24-hour access to one of our social workers who will be familiar with the family history.

Yes, foster carers receive a small fortnightly support payment from the government based on the child’s age. This is not a salary and is only intended to cover the costs of caring for a child.

As a foster carer, you are providing a safe and supportive home for a child or young person who cannot live with their own family. While it might be challenging at times, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever undertake and is incredibly important for the children you care for.