Please note you can now view the current Statement of Commitment.

Relative, kinship and foster carers have responsibilities to the child in their care and to agency staff.

Provide care

• Provide a caring home for the child, assuring safety, giving affection, fostering the child's self-esteem and providing as near as possible to a normal life. this means giving structure to the child's life and a consistent standard of care allowing for the child's individuality and growing maturity and helping to heal the impact of loss and trauma that the child has experienced.
• Treat the child in your care as you would treat your own child.
• Assist the child to cope with being a member of two families.
• Promote a positive view of the child's biological family and help maintain connections to the family of origin, the child's community and significant others in the child's life.
• Show respect for, and strengthen, the links to the child's culture, religion,  language and spiritual beliefs.
• Support the child in their transitions into, between, and out of care.
• Where the child is placed long term with you, make a life long commitment to the child.
• Assist in the development of a Life Story collection and help the child to understand why the child is in care.
• Treat information about the child and the child's family as confidential.
• Encourage the child to have an active life and to develop his or her potential.
• Encourage the child's learning and educational achievement.
• Promote and encourage participation in cultural activities so that the child's cultural identity is not lost.
• Safeguard the child's personal records and property.

Work together

• Work respectfully and cooperatively with families and agency staff as part of the care team.
• Be open and honest with the child, the caseworker and other agency staff as part of the care team.
• Allow workers to visit and support you on a regular basis to see the child or young person on their own.
• Inform staff of changes to the child's needs or your family circumstances.
• Comply with legal obligations.
• Not act without approval on significant decisions.

Keep learning

• Attend foster care meetings and training sessions.
• Contribute your perspective so that the alternative care system can continue to improve.

Seek help

• Make the child's needs known and tell you others on the care team of any difficulties
• Ask for advice and help when you are not sure what to do.
• Accept help when it is needed.

Relative links

Aims of the charter

Principles of the charter

Your rights as a relative, kinship or foster carer

Making the charter work

Glossary