Foster Care FAQ

What is foster care?

foster father and childFoster Care is temporary care provided for children and young people by approved volunteer caregivers, when the child’s family is not able to care for them.

When children can't live at home, the first choice of placement is with relatives or someone they know. When this is not possible, these children rely on individuals and families to open their hearts and their homes.

Where possible, children are reunited with their parents as quickly as possible.

In some instances it may not be possible for children to return to their parents. They may need to be in foster care until a permanent placement is arranged.

Children require foster care for many reasons including:

  • a crisis or emergency situation, such as illness, high stress or family issue;
  • when parents need a break from caring for their children and require support in their parenting role, e.g. when the child has a disability or a single parent has no other supports;
  • when there are issues of abuse and neglect and a child needs a safe place to live while these issues are being addressed.

Currently, there is a national shortage of foster carers. There are also diminishing numbers of people willing to become foster carers in Melbourne’s North and West.

Who can be a foster carer?

  • people who can provide a safe and nurturing environment for children;
  • people in the community who have a commitment to caring for others;
  • singles, couples, people with or without children, working, unemployed, or retired;
  • people who want to contribute to the community;
  • people of all ages;
  • people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

Is there support for foster carers?

  • carers receive 24 hour support from Baptcare through a team-based approach to caring for children;
  • carers complete a comprehensive training program, which is followed by ongoing sessions throughout the year;
  • carers receive support from each other through networks with other foster carers;
  • carers receive a tax free allowance and reimbursement of other expenses.

If you love children and want to help those in need, please call today about becoming a foster carer.

If you live in Moonee Valley or Brimbank
Please call us on 9373 3800 or send an email to familyservices@baptcare.org.au.

If you live outside those areas
Please call the Victorian Foster Care Hotline on 1800 013 088.

Baptcare provides foster care for children who live in the cities of Moonee Valley and Brimbank in Melbourne. This includes the suburbs of Airport West, Albanvale, Albion, Ardeer, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Brooklyn, Cairnlea, Calder Park, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Essendon, Flemington, Gowanbrae, Hillside, Hillside Calder Park, Kealba, Keilor Downs, Keilor East, Keilor Lodge, Keilor Park, Kings Park, Moonee Valley, Niddrie, St Albans, Sunshine, Sunshine North, Sunshine West, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes and Tullamarine.

Open your heart and your home: foster a child in need

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