Kinship foster care
Living with a relative or close family friend can help protect the important connections a child has to their family, culture and community. It can also help children avoid the added trauma of living in an unfamiliar environment.
Why do children need this type of care?
Sometimes children are unable to live at home with their parents because the environment is unsafe. Through a family agreement or court order, children can live in kinship arrangements. Kinship carers can include relatives or someone the child already knows. In Aboriginal communities this also includes someone who shares a close cultural or community connection to the child.
Families and communities have always played an important role in raising children and kinship care helps protect these connections in a stable and familiar environment.
Families and communities have always played an important role in raising children and kinship care helps protect these connections in a stable and familiar environment.
Duration of care
This can vary depending on the circumstances and may be short or long-term.
What support do carers receive?
Our kinship carers are never alone in their caring journey. It can be difficult to comprehend the experiences children bring with them, so it is important that carers feel supported and confident in their role.
- TrainingWe provide carers with a range of learning opportunities suited to their level of experience and the needs of children in their care.
- 24/7 on-call supportOur foster carers have access to on-call support at any time of the day or night for advice, support and direction in stressful situations.
- Financial supportFoster carers receive a tax-free allowance to support the needs of children placed in their care.
- Specialist supportOur specialist staff work with children and alongside carers where additional support is needed.
- RespiteFor a night or a weekend, children in care may spend time with a respite carer, an opportunity to strengthen social and family networks while their carer takes a short break. This type of care is only offered when it is in children's interests.
- Carer networkingTalking to other carers is sometimes the best form of support. Through regular carer events we create opportunities for carers to share their concerns, celebrate successes and provide feedback to the Life Without Barriers team.
Are there any other types of long-term care?
Yes. And with just under 50,000 children unable to live safely at home in Australia we are always looking for foster carers to help these children feel protected, supported and safe.