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

WESTERN AUSTRALIAWestern Australia support informationFoster care in WA is shared between theDepartment for Community Development andnon-government sector placement agencies.The Department for Community Developmentarranges the placement of children, who are inthe care of the Department’s Chief ExecutiveOfficer, with departmental foster carers andwith non-government placement agencies. TheDepartment has a central carer register, whichincludes all departmental and non-governmentfoster carers. At any one time there areapproximately 1500 children in foster care.The Department for Community Developmentoffers a ‘1:1’ specialised intensive service whichrecruits, assesses and trains carers for youngpeople with difficult to manage behaviours.The Department has developed a home based,professional foster care service and is currentlyrecruiting carers. As well, an Intensive PlacementSupport and Treatment Team is being established.The Department funds the Foster Care Associationof Western Australia Inc. to provide foster careradvocacy, support, assistance and advice.The Children and Communities Services Act 2004was proclaimed on 1 March 2006. It means therewill be significant changes to the processes andprocedures in the children in care area.Training and accreditationPreparation training is mandatory for general andrelative carers. Carers usually attend a seriesof preparation training sessions while relativecarers can work through the required trainingwith an assessor in their own home, if preferred.Training programs incorporate a competencybased approach, which is reviewed annually, andcontinuous training opportunities are offered toall carers via the Department for CommunityDevelopment specialist unit ― Fostering Services(Phone 08 6380 5900).In approving carers, the Department must besatisfied that the individual is able to:• Provide care for a child in a way that promotesthe wellbeing of the child and the child’s familyand interpersonal relationships, and protects thechild from harm• Provide a safe living environment for a child• Work cooperatively with departmental officers, achild’s family, and other people when providingcare for a child• Take responsibility for the development of theircompetency and skills as a carer• Is a person of good character and repute.For existing carers, who have not completed thenewly developed, competency based program,the review process is based on ‘Recognition ofPrior Learning’ principles and processes. AlthoughFostering Services, within the Department forCommunity Development, is not a registeredtraining organisation, a mandatory trainingpackage for general carers has been developed toenable accreditation within the National TrainingFramework. Consultations about the frameworkare under way with CSHEITAB (WA) regardingCrisis CareA 24-hour government phone line for peoplein crisis ― offers help with issues like domesticviolence, child abuse and suicide counsellingPhone 08 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008Alcohol and Drug InformationA 24-hour phone service with access to drugand alcohol professional counselling, informationand referral to services (part of QUIT WA, not anemergency service)Phone 08 9442 5000Parenting LineProvides information and advice about caring forchildren aged up to 18 yearsPhone 08 9272 1466 or 1800 654 432 (countrycallers)Government department supportDepartment for Community Development189 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004(PO Box 6334, East Perth WA 6892)Phone 08 9222 2555 or 1800 622 258TTY 08 9325 1232Translating and Interpreting Services 13 1450Fax 08 9222 2776Website www.community.wa.gov.auConsumer advocateReceives complaints about the Department forCommunity Development servicePhone 08 9222 2594 or 1800 013 311Advocate for children and young people inthe department’s carePhone 08 9222 2518 or 08 9222 2594Legal supportChildren’s CourtDeals with matters relating to children andyoung people regarding protection and care aswell as criminal offences160 Pier St, Perth WA 6000Phone 08 9218 0112Website www.justice.wa.gov.auFamily Court of Western AustraliaHelps with resolving or determines familymattersPhone 08 9224 8222Website www.familycourt.gov.auLegal AidPhone 1300 650 579Website www.legalaid.wa.gov.auWelfare Rights and Advocacy ServiceProvides free, independent information, advice,advocacyPhone 08 9328 1751Fax 08 9227 1375Website www.wraswa.org.auWomen’s Law CentreFree legal advice line for women in WA, mainlyfocusing on family lawPhone 08 9272 8800 or 1800 625 12262