See a child thrive, flourish and prosper.

We have fostered three children so far. It’s been a very happy and humbling experience. Each child has their own unique needs. It’s great to see them shine.
Beck, Foster carer

Become a foster carer with Baptcare.

Become a foster carer and enrich your life! If you would like to help a child in need, foster care is a great way to do it. There are lots of different options for providing foster care, depending on your lifestyle and needs. Baptcare is here to support you from your first call or email. We provide training, answer your questions, and offer you ongoing support 24/7.
Even if you don’t think you’re ready to become a carer, we’re here to talk to you about what’s involved.  
Start the conversation today.

Enquire today about becoming a foster carer

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Help a child thrive
Children need stability, to feel safe and have someone believe in them. There are many types of foster care. From long and short-term care, to respite and emergency care, we are here to help you decide what will work best for you and your family.
Foster care is challenging and immensely rewarding. From your first enquiry we offer you support and guidance.
Steps to becoming a foster carer
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Help a child flourish
Becoming a foster carer helps create a better future for a child in need. It also enriches your life and that of your loved ones. Your role as a Baptcare foster carer is to create a secure and loving environment for a foster child, and take responsibility for their day to day care.
Steps to becoming a foster carer
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Help a child prosper
Foster carers aim to provide a secure, nurturing and safe family environment for children who are unable to be with their own families. As part of a cooperative team (with the child’s family and Baptcare foster care worker) you will focus on the best outcomes for the child. We aim for children to return to their own families as soon as possible.
Steps to becoming a foster carer
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Foster care that suits lifestyle
You can choose the type of care that best suits you. We’re here to support you in your decision-making. Respite care: providing primary carers or other long-term foster carers with short breaks so they can recharge. Emergency care: providing care for a child to help protect them from risk in their own home. Short-term or long-term care: a child in your home for up to six months, or for longer than six months.
More information about foster care
Become a foster carer and enrich your life!
If you would like to help a child in need, foster care is a great way to do it. There are lots of different options for providing foster care, depending on your lifestyle and needs. Baptcare is here to support you from your first call or email. We provide training, answer your questions, and offer you ongoing support 24/7.

Contact us today to enquire about Foster Care or Kinship Care.

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Client Centred and Safe
We are child centred and family focused. We value your individual interests and goals. We respect your right to participate in and guide planning, decisions and actions affecting your lives.
Collaborative
Listening to you, we identify common purpose. Working with you, we support you to reach your goals. Our team will always support you for better outcomes
Evidence-Based Best Practice
We provide supports, therapies and practices tailored to you, based on your needs. Staff are continually learning new skills to support you with outcomes that are responsive, flexible and timely.
Celebrate Diversity
Everyone is different – and we celebrate our differences. We include and celebrate all people to ensure safety and wellbeing.
Government-accredited
We are assessed and accredited by state governments to ensure we are a suitable organisation to care for children.
Optimistic and Genuine
Staff are honest and open with you, and will assist you to ensure the best available outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Baptcare?

Baptcare is a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to helping people through providing care, life skills and opportunities for independence and self-determination. We are a QIP (Quality Innovation Performance Limited is a not-for-profit health promotion charity with more than twenty years’ experience in community service accreditation and more than ten years’ experience in primary and secondary health care accreditation and related services.accredited service provider and are proud of the work we do to aid and improve our communities.

Where does Baptcare operate Foster and Kinship Care services?

Baptcare’s Foster and Kinship Care services are currently offered in Victoria and Tasmania. In Victoria we operate in Western Melbourne, and parts of North Melbourne, while in Tasmania our services cover the entire state. For more information, please see our pages on ‘Foster Care in Victoria’ and ‘Foster Care in Tasmania’.

Can I work with children from my culture?

Where possible, we aim to support placements within cultures. Being able to speak the same language as a young person can have positive outcomes. Children’s wellbeing is enhanced by learning and understanding their culture, and your ability to help teach a child about their cultural heritage is highly valued.

What do I need to do to become a foster carer?

The amount of time it takes to become accredited as a foster carer really depends on your availability, and your location (requirements vary from state to state) but on average it takes between three and six months. During this time, you will undergo police and working with children checks, as well as complete training on caring for children in foster care. You’ll be guided through the process every step of the way. We understand if at any stage you decide foster caring isn’t for you, or the timing just isn’t right – there are no hard feelings.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer, see our page ‘Steps to Becoming A Foster Carer’

How does it work if I have children of my own?

Many of our carers have children of their own and are accredited based on the best fit for their family. We provide information and training to your all household members, including biological children. Fostering can be a wonderful learning experience for the whole family.

What kind of support or assistance will I receive?

You’ll be guided personally through the application process by one of our staff and once accredited, you’ll have 24/7 support. You will also have access to continual training relevant to the needs of the young person you are caring for. For more information visit the Foster Care Association of Victoria or Foster and Kinship Carers Association of Tasmania .

Will I receive financial assistance?

Every placement is different, but carers do receive a standard carer reimbursement payment. There may be extra allowances depending on the needs of the child.
For more information visit Victorian Government DFFH or Department for Education, Children and Young People

Do I get a say in the children I foster?

You’re accredited based on the age, gender and type of care you choose to provide, and our case workers will always call you to discuss a placement before it goes ahead.

On average, how long does a child stay with you?

The length of time a child stays with you will depend on your level of accreditation and current circumstances. For example, if you’re accredited for respite care a child may stay with you for one weekend a month. If it’s for emergency it could be overnight or longer, depending on your availability.

What happens if I can no longer do the role, or need to take a break?

We understand that personal circumstances can change. Sometimes our carers take time off, move interstate or focus on having children of their own. It’s as simple as making a call to your case worker to discuss your needs.

What are the foster care service standards?

Just as you have been screened and assessed as a suitable carer, we are assessed and monitored by the Government to ensure we are a suitable organisation to care for children. You might hear this process referred to as licensing, accreditation, registration, or certification.
Service Standards
The criteria for the licensing of a foster care service vary between states, but mainly focus on the ability to:
* Provide information to children, particularly about accessibility, policies and procedures, complaints, and appeals processes
* Ensure children participate in decisions affecting them, and are involved in services they receive
* Uphold the rights of children
* Keep children connected to family, and involve families in their children’s lives
* Keep children connected to their culture and identity
* Comply with standards for care environments
* Recruit, assess, train, approve, support, monitor, and supervise carers
* Manage children’s records
* Maintain records about carers, employees, contractors, and volunteers
* Maintain reporting systems, particularly breaches of standards and incidents involving harm to children
* Meet guidelines relating to financial management.

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