Foster & Kinship Care

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At DCC, we are committed to providing exceptional foster and kinship care services to ensure that every child receives the care, love, and support they need to heal and thrive. Recent statistics from Child Protection Australia reveal that as of June 30, 2021, there were 46,200 children in out-of-home care nationally. The number of children entering care only continues to rise, highlighting the urgent need for foster and kin carers.

Whether you're considering becoming a foster or kin carer, seeking training and support, or learning more about foster and kin care options in Queensland, we are here to guide you every step of the way. We provide foster and kin carers with the tools,resources and support they need to achieve lasting positive change in the lives of children and young people in care.

About Foster & Kinship Care

Foster care is needed when children cannot live with their birth families due to various reasons. These children deserve a safe, loving environment where they can receive the care, attention, and support they need to heal from the trauma they have experienced.

Our dedicated team works closely with foster and kin carers to ensure the children placed with them receive the highest level of care. We provide ongoing support, training, and resources to help foster and kin carers navigate the complexities of caring for vulnerable children, empowering them to make a positive difference in the children's lives.
We focus on supporting foster and kin carers to build strong, nurturing relationships with their foster children. Our goal is to create an environment where children feel safe, secure, and loved, allowing them to grow emotionally and mentally, despite the challenges they have faced.

How to Become a Foster or Kin Carer

Becoming a foster or kin carer is a fulfilling and meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of children in need. The process of becoming a foster or kin carer in Queensland involves several important steps. We are here to support you through the entire process—from initial enquiry to ongoing support as a foster carer.

Step-by-Step Process to Becoming a Foster Carer:

Initial Enquiry: Contact us and express your interest in fostering. Our team will call you by the next business day to collect key details to create an applicant profile on our system.

Initial Home Visit: A Case Practitioner will visit your home to ensure it’s a safe and welcoming environment for children. This visit will also include discussions about your home life, family dynamics, and carer capabilities.

Attend Foster Care Training: You are then required to attend the mandatory “Getting Ready to Start Training”, designed to equip you with skills and knowledge of the Child Protection system, legalities, available supports, and how to support a child in care.. This training will include four modules that can take up to 16 hours to complete. These trainings are typically run across multiple days and are available on a variety of weekdays and weekends. Four modules consist of:

Module 1: Context of Foster Care
Module 2: Understanding the Past for a Child or Young Person
Module 3: Early Days in a Placement
Module 4: Quality Care - Working Together

At the end of each session, you will be provided worksheets to complete.

Formal Application: During this stage, your Case Practitioner will support you in complete the following forms:

Application for Initial Approval (APA) Form
Health & Wellbeing Questionnaire Form
Blue Card Account & Application

Assessment: Once the previous four stages have been completed, you will progress to the formal interview stage. Our assessor will come to your home to complete a comprehensive assessment including a series of interviews with all household members. During this stage, the assessor will visit your home on a number of occasions, determine your suitability, complete a final Household Safety Study, and create the Foster Care Agreement.

Approval: At this stage, your completed assessment and supporting documentation will be submitted to the Department for review. Child Safety will receive the assessment and provide confirmation that the applicant/s meet all requirements. If approved, Child Safety will then provide a Certificate of Approval.

Ongoing Support: Your Case Worker will complete your induction which provides you with key resources to support you through your carer journey. During the first 12 months, you must complete the Starting out and Hope and Healing training. After 12 months, you will undertake a renewal assessment including renewal assessment interviews and a report is completed as per the initial assessment process. If your renewal is approved by Child Safety, it is granted for a further 3 years.

Foster & Kinship Care Training and Support

We offer a comprehensive training program designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to be a successful foster or kin carer.

Foster & Kinship Care Training Programs:

Our training covers essential topics that ensure you are well-prepared to care for children who may have experienced trauma or difficult circumstances.

Getting Ready to Start Training: Introduction to Child Protection system, legalities, available supports, and how to support a young person in care.

Starting Out Training: Consists of how to promote positive behaviour and carer support and advocacy.

Hope and Healing: Sets out the foundation for supporting children and young people in foster care in a way that understands and responds to trauma-related needs and other complex needs and is therapeutic in approach.

Safety Water Training: Provides training on the identification of water hazards, water safety and the appropriate level of supervision of children and young people in and around water hazards.

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training: Designed to teach foster and kin parents how to prevent and de-escalate crises, manage situations therapeutically, and support children in developing coping skills.

Cultural Safety Training: Aims to equip foster and kin carers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide culturally safe and responsive environments.

External Training: We partner with Queensland Foster and Kinship Care and Evolve Therapeutic Services to provide foster and kin ship carers further learning and development opportunities.

Ongoing Support for Foster & Kin Carers:

We ensure that foster carers continue to receive support throughout their fostering experience.

Regular Check-Ins: Your allocated Case Practitioner will stay in touch with you to provide guidance and answer any questions that may arise during your fostering journey.

24/7 Helpline: For urgent situations or questions, foster and kin carers have access to a 24/7 helpline.

Peer Support: Connect with other foster carers through our support groups and share experiences, advice, and encouragement.

Counselling Services: Fostering can be emotionally challenging. We offer access to professional counselling to help you manage stress and maintain your well-being.

You will never feel alone in your journey. Our ongoing support ensures that you always have the resources and assistance you need to provide the best care possible.

Become a Foster Carer Today

Becoming a foster carer is a life-changing decision that impacts not only the child in your care but also your life and your community. We are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, from the initial enquiry through to approval and beyond with ongoing support.

If you’re ready to make a difference in the life of a child, contact us today to learn more about our foster & kinship care services and how you can become a foster carer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I get paid as a foster carer?
Yes, foster carers receive ongoing carer payments to help cover the costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, and other living expenses.

2. What support will I receive as a foster carer?
DCC offers ongoing support, including training, regular check-ins, access to a 24/7 helpline, peer support networks, and counselling services.

3. Can I foster if I work full-time?
Yes, many foster carers work full-time. We will work with you to develop a fostering arrangement that suits your work schedule and caregiving responsibilities.

4. Do I need to be married to become a foster carer?
No, single individuals are welcome to apply to become foster carers. We evaluate each applicant on their individual merits and suitability for the role.

5. How long does the approval process take?
Each application varies.It can take up to a few months, including application, training, assessments, and home visits.