Supporting Carers Of Other People's Children - Australian Foster ...

QUEENSLANDQueensland support informationThe provision and administration of out-of-homecare in Queensland is the responsibility of theDepartment of Child Safety, a departmentdedicated to protecting Queensland’s children andyoung people and ensuring they are safe fromabuse and neglect.Under the department’s program, out-of-home carein Queensland is predominantly delivered throughfamily-based care by individuals who are recruited,assessed, trained and supported by either thedepartment or specially funded non-governmentcare services. While carers may be trainedand supported by a funded care service, thedepartment is responsible for approving all carers.There are two types of family-based out-of-homecare in the Queensland system:• Foster care is provided by approved carers intheir own homes. Foster carers provide safe andcaring homes for these children to live for shortor long periods of time• Kinship care is provided by an approved personwho is related to the child or young personin out-of-home care or considered to be asignificant person in their life. Kinship carers canassist children and young people to maintain linkswith their family.In June 2005 there were approximately 2,700approved carer households in Queensland caringfor around 5,700 children and young people inout-of-home care. In approximately 32% of thesehouseholds the carer is a relative or someone elseknown to the child prior to their entry into care.Training and approval of carersFoster carer applicants are assessed to determinetheir suitability to care for abused or neglectedchildren who are very vulnerable and who oftenrequire a great deal of support. This assessment isbased on information collected through a variety ofsources, including interviews, written assessments,initial pre-service training, referee reports, andpersonal history checks.This assessment process is very detailed andcan include, for example, consideration of theprospective carer’s family structure, personalbackground, and their ability and motivation tobecome a foster carer. The ways in which familiesmay cope with some of the pressures and stressassociated with fostering is also taken into account.During the assessment, personal history checks(such as child protection checks) are undertakenand prospective carers are also required topossess a Blue Card provided by the QueenslandCommission for Children and Young People andChild Guardian.Queensland’s carer training package for fostercarers is called Quality Care: Foster Care Training.The pre-service component of this trainingpackage is undertaken by applicants before theybecome an approved foster carer and is designedto help prospective carers prepare for their newrole. All foster carers receive the same initialtraining, which outlines what is required of them,information about child development and behaviourmanagement, and other skills they will need toprovide quality care.52Government department supportDepartment of Child Safety111 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000(GPO Box 806, Brisbane QLD 4001)Phone 07 3224 8045 or 1800 811 810TTY 07 3012 8655Translating and Interpreting Services 13 1450Fax 07 3404 3570Email info@childsafety.qld.gov.auWebsite www.childsafety.qld.gov.auEmergency supportChild Safety After Hours Service Centreafter hours telephonePhone 1800 177 135Website www.childsafety.qld.gov.auParentline - counselling for parents andprimary carersPhone 1300 301 300Website www.parentline.com.auRecruitmentDepartment of Child Safety Foster CarerRecruitment LinePhone 1300 550 877Email fcrecruit@childsafety.qld.gov.auChildren and young people supportCREATE Foundation — QLD Branch5/55 Clarence Street, Coorparoo QLDPhone 1800 655 105Fax 07 3847 3971Carer supportFoster Carer Advocacy and Support Team(FAST) UnitPhone 07 3268 5955 or 0400 647664 (FAST Coordinator)Fax 07 3268 5970Email fcq@fcq.com.auWeb www.fcq.com.auPlacement supportChildren’s Services TribunalPhone 07 3225 8346 or 1300 855 345Fax 07 3225 8345Email mailbox@justice.qld.gov.auWebsite www.justice.qld.gov.au/cstLegal supportLegal Aid QueenslandPhone 1300 651 188Fax 07 3238 3300Website www.legalaid.qld.gov.au