What is foster care?
Children and young people who cannot live at home need stable and loving families to care for them until it’s safe for them to return. They especially need compassionate, patient, and caring adults to support them through their experiences and help them stay connected to their families.
Foster carers can come from all walks of life. They can work full time, have their own children, and even their own pets. Carers need to open their home and give hope to a child. By becoming a foster carer, you can make a significant difference in the lives of children and young people.
As a carer, you will be responsible for meeting the child’s daily care needs, which may include taking them to appointments, supporting their education, working with their counsellors and ensuring their health and well-being. Turning your spare room into a home can make a lasting impact on the life of a child.
There are different types of foster care to suit various needs and situations:
Primary care arrangement
The place where a child or young person is living the majority of the time. This can depend on the child’s court order which can range from 3 days, upto 2 years or long term until 18.
Short break (Respite) care arrangement
A short break can include a short stay with an approved foster or kinship carer for children and young people away from their primary carer. A child or young person returns to their primary carer after the period of a short break. This can range from a day to several weeks.
A short break can provide support to the child and the primary carer.
Emergency care arrangement
An Emergency care arrangement occurs only in a crisis situation with minimal planning. They are an interim measure until a more suitable or stable care arrangement option is located for the child or young person.
Pre-adopt
A pre-adoptive placement is a temporary living arrangement where a child is placed with a certified foster carer while the legal adoption process is still being finalised to the child’s forever home.
Becoming a foster carer is a wonderful way to make a lasting impact on the life of a child. Your love, patience, and support can help make a lasting impact.
Meet our Carers
Inala Community House Out of Home Care has created a strong community of carers who are connected and engaged. Watch the video to meet some of our carers.