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

in placement three times per year, with the amountreflecting the age of the child. Pocket money isalso proivded reflecting the age of the child.Counselling services for foster carers are availablefrom the Department for Community Developmentfunded external provider. Telephone supportand advice is available from the Department forCommunity Development:• Crisis Care 08 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008• Parenting Help Line 08 9272 1466 or1800 654 432• Fostering Services 08 6380 5900 or1800 024 453 and• The Foster Care Association 08 0388 1911 or1800 65 1911.The government has developed a handbook, aStatement of Commitment and Charter of Rightsfor foster carers in partnership with the Foster CareAssociation of Western Australia Inc. Handbooksare available from the Foster Care Associationwebsite at www.fcawa.com.au, or by writing tothe association at 89 Hensman Road, SubiacoWA 6008.WESTERN AUSTRALIAFoster Care Association of Western Australia Inc.Office 89 Hensman Road, Subiaco WA 6008Phone 08 9388 1911 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday), or 1800 641 911 (24 hours)Email admin@fcawa.com.auWebsite www.fcawa.com.auThe Foster Care Association provides support, advice, advocacy, mentoring for new carers, supportgroups, children’s clothing and equipment.After hours assistance and supportTo speak to another foster parent about a problem, phone the Foster Care Association on 08 92464285 (after hours).Crisis CareIf you cannot contact your case worker and you need help at any time, phone Crisis Care and ask tospeak with the social worker ― just talking may be enough to overcome the problemPhone 08 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008.Services provided• phone support and referral service, mentoring for new carers, and support groups;• support at case conferences and meetings if you would like someone from the Association to attendwith you;• information about foster caring for foster families, assistance in accessing appropriate services and,individual advocacy to ensure that their issues are addressed;• facilities for contact visits ― our premises in Subiaco are available for the child in your care to visitwith their family; contact visits in Subiaco need to be supervised by an agency or departmentalworker;• information to potential foster families;• print information resources and videos, books and articles are available on loan;• second hand clothes and equipment for all foster children ― these are free, however donations to thestore are always welcome;• daytime and weekend training workshops;• input to training sessions organised by the Department for Community Development and privateagencies;• certificates and Badges of Appreciation presented to foster families, based on the length of time theyhave been fostering;• ‘Certificates in Training’ presented to foster families for training modules they have completed·socialactivities for foster families;• liaison with government and private agencies about policy and practice issues;• member of the Australian Foster Care Association Inc., providing regular input on national issues thataffect WA foster carers.64