Who provides foster care services?
You have the option to foster a child directly through the Department of Communities (Communities) or via a Community Service Organisation or Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation that provides foster care services.
If you choose Communities, you will have direct access to Communities’ case workers. If you foster through a Community Service Organisation, they will provide you with a case worker who liaises on your behalf with Communities.
The agencies listed below are currently funded by Communities to provide foster care.
- Australian Childhood Foundation
- Centacare Kimberley
- Karla Kuliny
- Key Assets the Children’s Services Provider (Australia) Limited
- Kinship Connections
- Life Without Barriers
- Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd
- MacKillop Family Services Ltd
- My Place
- Parkerville Children and Youth Care Incorporated
- SWAMS
- Uniting
- Wanslea Limited
- Wungening
- Yorganop Association Incorporated
Supports
You will be primarily supported by the child’s care team, who will help you navigate how to best provide care for each individual child. The Department also have Aboriginal Practice Leaders, psychologists and education officers available to support the cultural, psychological and educational needs of the child or children you care for.
You will be invited to functions, events and information sessions so you can meet other foster carers and learn new skills.
Foster carers and their families also have access to free, confidential counselling services, should they want it.
Foster Care Association of WA
The Foster Care Association of WA is an independent organisation that supports Foster Carers and advocates on their behalf.
Foster Families South West Inc.
Foster Families South West Inc. is a not for profit association supporting foster carers in the South West region of WA.
OurSPACE WA
OurSPACE WA is a free state-wide counselling service for Communities’ foster and family carers who require some extra support.
