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

Following their initial approval as a foster carer,carers are required to participate in ongoinglearning, completing an additional three modulesin the first year after approval and thereafteraccording to an individually tailored learning andsupport plan.Kinship carers have similar assessment andapproval processes to foster carers.All foster and kinship carers are approved in thefirst instance for a period of 12 months and arereassessed at the end of that time. If they remainassessed as suitable to remain carers, they areprovided with additional approval periods of up totwo years.RecruitmentIn Queensland, the recruitment of foster carers isan ongoing activity driven by the efforts of ChildSafety Service Centres and funded care services.For more information on foster care and becominga carer in Queensland:• Contact your local Child Safety Service Centre; or• visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au; or• Phone the foster care recruitment line on1300 550 877 for the cost of a local call.SupportCurrently, the department and funded care servicesoffer a range of supports to foster and kinshipcarers that include ongoing case work, respite,participation in decision making, financial support,advocacy and referral, practical support, learningand development, and peer support and mentoring.Carers can also receive support from otherFoster Care Queensland Inc.government departments, community agencies,other carers, their community and the informalnetworks that they may develop. Carers can alsoseek assistance from Foster Care Queensland,a peak organisation that provides support andadvocacy services to foster carers through FosterCarer Advocacy and Support Teams (FAST).Financial supportApproved carers receive an allowance that is acontribution towards the direct costs of lookingafter children and young people in out-of-homecare. The allowance covers items such as food,clothing, household provisions, gifts, pocketmoney and entertainment. The allowance isnot considered a ‘payment’ for fostering and itis not a source of income. It contributes to areimbursement of the real costs associated withproviding care.An enhanced allowance is provided to those whocare for children and young people with high andcomplex support needs. Other reimbursements tocarers for child related costs are also available fromthe department.Foster Carer CardApproved foster carers and kinship carersthroughout Queensland are eligible to receive theFoster Carer Card. The Card is intended to assistcarers in their day-to-day fostering duties witheasy identification to government agencies andservices and also provides access to a range ofdiscounts from participating businesses.Information on Queensland’s foster care programcan be accessed at www.childsafety.qld.gov.au.Office Unit 5, 921 Kingsford Smith Drive (PO Box 1179) Eagle Farm Qld 4009Phone 07 3268 5955 (9am — 5pm, Monday to Friday)07 3807 9455 (After hours assistance and support)Email fcq@fcq.com.auWebsite www.fcq.com.auAfter hours assistance and supportAssociation after hours number 07 3807 9455, orcall the nearest FAST delegate in your area — Phone 07 3268 5955 or after hours 0400 647 664.Services provided:• individual support services through the Foster Carer Advocacy and Support Team (FAST);• FAST delegates through out the state to provide advice, support and advocacy where needed forfoster, kinship and provisional carers;• telephone and Email support and advocacy — 24 hours;• newsletter provided monthly to members;• resource booklets available to all members;• staff undertake systems and peer advocacy;• kinship care, Indigenous care and disability sub-committees;• agents to the Children’s Services Tribunal;• facilitation of training modules for the Department of Child Safety;• active member of the Australian Foster Care Association Inc., and regularly providing input onnational issues that effect Queensland carers;• organisation and facilitation of recognition awards for carers and staff;• organisation of yearly Queensland Foster Care Conference;• active on numerous workgroups that inform policy and practice for Department of Child Safety andnon-government services;• working with other peak organisations to enhance the Child Protection sector;• working with non-government service providers.QUEENSLAND53