Are you interested in becoming a foster carer ?
Thank you for wanting to find out more about being a foster or kinship carer, you're not doing it alone!
Fostering Hope wants to walk with you through each step as you embark on the path toward becoming a carer.
Making the decision to become a carer today in reality means that there are a number of steps that still need to take place well before a child is placed in your home. This is a perfect time to connect with us so that we can make sure that you are fully prepared for the journey and have the right supports around you.
Fostering Hope will guide you through the initial stages of the process, connect you with the broader fostering community and help you establish an effective support base right from the get go.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for some of the common questions asked by people exploring fostering.
Types of foster care
There are a number of different types of foster care,
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Respite carers offer a break for a fostering family on a regular basis, such as one weekend a month, and this provides the child an extended family. Usually, respite is with the same children and can form a real, long-lasting relationship with the children and their primary caregivers that is positive for everyone.
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Emergency foster carers are the initial carer as soon as children are removed from their home until a longer term placement is found. This could be for a night, weekend or two weeks.
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Long-term foster carers open their homes to a child/ren for anywhere from 12 months to 18 years.
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Kinship carers are relatives of the child, or people already part of a child’s life when they enter care, who say yes to opening their homes.
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Sibling group carers are approved to look after larger sibling groups, either in their own homes or a house they move into with the children.