Foster care information sessions cover the following topics:

• what's involved in being a foster carer
• steps to become a foster carer
• roles and responsibilities of foster carers
• support available to foster carers.

General foster care information sessions

General foster care agencies seek foster carers who can undertake:

• emergency
• short term
• respite
• long term care
• a combination of these types of care.

Children needing general foster care placements range in age from infants through to teenagers.

General foster care agencies also seek foster carers who may be able to care for siblings.

Specialist foster care information sessions

Specialist foster care agencies seek carers for children who require additional support for complex and special needs.

These foster carers receive additional training and support to assist them in their role.

Centacare is seeking specialised family-based foster carers for individual children and sibling groups, aged from infants to 12 year olds. Carers will work as part of a team to reunify children with their birth family They are also seeking respite carers to support their short term foster carers.

Key Assets, Homelink for Children, and Life Without Barriers are specialist foster care agencies who provide support for children with complex and special needs. These agencies are seeking long term and respite foster carers for children who are aged between 2 and 17.

Where a fostering agency does not have any public information sessions scheduled, they can be scheduled on a one-to-one one basis.  

To find out more contact the foster care agency directly.

What people have said about information sessions

• 'Overall it was very interesting and it was great to hear from the foster carer herself.'
• 'Having thought about foster care for a number of years, I now have a much better understanding of the different types of care, how they might overlap/ lead on, and the potential issues involved. I feel better informed to discuss foster care with my family.'
• 'A good informative session that provided an honest view of foster caring'
• 'Great opportunity for casual chats with different speakers'
• 'It was good to have a range of presenters representing different aspects of the process.'
• 'I have a better understanding of what the process is and the commitment of those involved.'
• 'Very helpful information (first time) a lot to think about, but still very positive'

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