Steps to becoming a foster carer

How we support you

During Accreditation

Step-by-step guidance
100% confidentiality
Prompt follow up
Training and mentoring

Accredited Foster Carers

24/7 access to assitance
Renumeration
Ongoing training and development
Be informed and included

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose short or long term placements?

There are four different types of care:

Respite care – one or two weekends per month and usually planned either to support existing foster care placements or famiilies in the community.
Emergency care – from one night up to one month and usually can occur on weekends.
Short-term care – from one month up to one year.
Long term care – from one year plus.

Carers can choose type of care and the age of children and young people that suits them and thier family.

What are the 'must have' for accreditation?

The mandatory requirements are:

be over 21 years of age
have a satisfactory Police and Working with Childrens Check
have space in your home for another child
complete the mandatory training
complete a health check
satisfactory referee check

What is the renumeration available?

Foster careres are provided with a fortnightly reimbursement to cover their out of pocket expenses when caring for a child. These rates differ depending on the childs needs. For more information on rates please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/foster-care

Why are children in foster care?

Children and young people requiring foster care can be of any age (up to 18 years), and can come from various cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Children and young people are placed in foster care for a range of reasons, and foster care can occur as a result of a court order, or through a voluntary arrangement between the child or young person’s parent and a service provider. It could be overnight, for a month or longer – it all depends on the needs of the child.

What am I responsible for as a foster carer?

As a foster carer, your responsibilities are to:

put the best interests of the child or young person first[1]
provide a safe and nurturing home
respect and proactively maintain a child or young person’s connections to family, community and culture, according to their case plan
support the permanency objective for the child or young person
provide culturally appropriate care to children and young people who are Aboriginal or from culturally diverse backgrounds
encourage the child or young person’s learning and educational achievement
support the child or young person’s wishes and views and advocate for their healthy development
maintain open communication with other care team members to keep them informed
uphold the child or young person’s, and their family’s, right to privacy
fulfil your role within the care team and understand the role of other care team members
actively seek opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge to care for the child or young person
actively participate in developing the Care and Placement Plan, and other Looking After Children tools.

[1] The Children, Youth Families Act states that the best interest of a child or young person must always be paramount when making a decision, or taking action. When determining whether a decision or action is in the child’s best interests, there are a number of needs that must always be considered:

the need to protect the child from harm
the need to protect the child’s rights
the need to promote the child’s development (taking into account his or her age, stage of development, culture and gender).

What is Brophy responsible for?

As a foster carer, you can expect us to:

action your needs as soon as possible, to assist you in caring for the child or young person
include you in planning and seek your views in care team meetings
consider and respect the health and wellbeing, culture and religion of you and your family
consider your safety when planning about the disclosure of your address to parents of the child or young person
provide timely information to you about court decisions and other issues that affect you and the child or young person in your care
establish regular channels of communication with you and provide you with important documentation, such as the instrument of authorisation and cultural plans
give prompt advice to you about changes to contact arrangements
provide all relevant available information to enable you to make an informed choice about caring for a child or young person
respond to issues and complaints in a timely manner, and treat you fairly
manage quality of care matters with sensitivity and understanding of the emotional impact on you and your family

Connect with other foster carers

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Please send us a message and we will get back to you. Thank you for reaching out.