Do I need to be available full time as a foster carer?

No. You can also be a foster carer if you are working part-time, full-time or studying. There are a number of foster care options to suit most circumstances including respite care (one weekend a month). Your availability is a factor, however, and arrangements that rely overly on child care are generally unsuitable.

Do I need to have experience with children of my own?

Experience in raising children of your own is often an advantage, but it is not essential.

What if I have children living at home already?

Each new carer goes through an assessment process where the needs of other children in the house will be considered.

Do I need a separate bedroom for the foster child?

You will need to have room both in your house and your care for a foster child. At assessment, consideration will be given to the child's age, gender and other needs as to whether they can share a room.

If I am single, can I still apply?

You can be single, married, or in a defacto relationship, including same-sex couples.

What is the age criteria?

The minimum age for foster caring is 25 (except Break Away house where you can be as young as 22).

Will I be employed and paid by Anglicare?

No. Foster caring is a voluntary role. There are government payments (http://www.dfc.sa.gov.au/pub/default.aspx?tabid=274) designed to assist with meeting the cost of raising a child in your own home. However, most carers become involved in fostering because they enjoy raising children and derive satisfaction from providing a family surrounding for children to grow and develop.

How are foster carers selected?

Often the best way is to call us first to make sure you meet the basic requirements and to let us know that you want to know more. Once an application is accepted, there is a thorough assessment and training process designed to ensure that carers are well equipped to take on the challenging and rewarding work ahead. A decision not to continue can be made either by the potential carer or the agency (Anglicare) at any time during the process. In the end, the decision to register any new carer lies with Families SA.

Do I have to attend an information session?

Yes. Information sessions are run regularly at various venues across the metropolitan area. The sessions last for two hours and provide an overview of foster caring and the assessment process. They also provide you with ample opportunity to ask questions. Attending an Information Session is now an essential pre-requisite to becoming a foster carer. To enquire about becoming a foster carer, and to book a place at an Information Session, contact our enquiry officer by phone (08 8131 3456) or email.

Are foster children ever returned to their birth parents?

An important aim of foster care is to reunite children with their birth families where possible. This means that children who come into care may stay for short or longer periods. Sometimes reunification with the birth family is not possible and a child will stay in care till they are 18. In many cases, the foster child will have some organised contact with birth families. This will be facilitated by Families SA in partnership with the child's foster carer.

What support will I have?

Anglicare SA is contracted by Families SA to recruit, assess and train foster carers, to provide ongoing support and to support the successful placement of foster children. The partnership between the carer, Families SA and the agency (Anglicare) is a vital one for both the carer and the children. Ongoing training and regular consultation is part of being a foster carer and help is available 24 hours a day.