Foster care

Tell Anglicare you’re thinking of becoming a foster carer

One of our friendly team will get in touch to help answer your questions.

Every week, Anglicare receives more than 100 requests to provide a safe home for a child in crisis.

Children come into foster care for all sorts of reasons… but uprooting them from their lives and homes always comes as a last resort. Something that’s necessary to keep them safe from the harm of neglect or abuse.

As one of our amazing foster carers, you can make a real difference. Whether you’re single, married or in a long-term relationship of two years or more, if you’re over 21 (and in good health) you’re exactly who kids in need are looking for!

Types of foster care

Crisis care

You provide a safe and stable place for a child who has been removed from their home due to care concerns. As a wonderful crisis carer, you could initially be contacted at any time of the day or night. And the child might remain in your care for anywhere up to three months.

Short-term care

You open your home to a child who is waiting for a Children’s Court decision. If the child is in the process of being restored to their family, you may have a role in supporting both the child and their birth parents as they work towards this goal. The child could remain in your care for a year or more.

Permanent care

You commit to providing a long-term, stable and nurturing family for a child who has been placed in care until the age of 18. The child grows up as part of your family. You might even like to consider the possibility of fostering to legally adopt.

Weekend and respite care

You provide regular, ongoing support (usually one weekend a month) to a child currently placed with another wonderful foster carer. You may occasionally care for the child over longer periods in the event of an emergency or so their permanent carer can take a short holiday.

Our promise to you

As an Anglicare foster carer, you can be confident you’ll have the help you deserve at every step. In addition to support from your foster child’s case manager, you’ll also have:

24/7 assistance in an emergency
the expertise of a clinical care team
ongoing health support from therapeutic specialists, as required
carer skill building and ongoing training
regular opportunities to socialise with other foster carers at events and support groups (including a dedicated support group for male carers)
activities and annual camps for your biological children
tax-free carers allowance to help meet the expense of having another child in the family
monthly respite through regular weekend care.

As a foster carer, you’re never alone. You’re a part of a team – case manager, medical professionals and other support workers – all joining together to help a child have a full and happy childhood.

Becoming an authorised carer

There is a process for becoming an authorised foster carer with Anglicare. Generally, it will take around six months.

Step 1

Firstly, you’ll have an initial phone conversation with the assessment team.

Step 2

Your preliminary interview comes next. Case managers will conduct this online.

Step 3

You’ll attend a three-day training course on the ins and outs of foster care.

Step 4

It's time for your paperwork! Submit your application.

Step 5

Before you can become an authorised Anglicare foster carer, you’ll need to complete a series of interviews with our friendly case managers.

Interested in becoming a foster carer?

Take this short quiz.

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The difference you can make

It probably goes without saying that a great foster carer should love being around kids. However, what you may not realise is that no special experience is needed to be exactly who a child might need. The best foster carers are not childcare experts or parents themselves. They’re normal people like you who have a heart for kids in need and a willingness to learn.

Watch more Foster care stories