Foster and family carers through the Department of Communities (Communities) become a member of the child’s care team and are supported by a variety of specialist roles including Aboriginal Practice Leaders, psychologists, education officers and Senior Child Safety Practitioners – Care Services.
If you decide to foster through a Community Services Organisation or Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation you will be supported by their staff and be provided a case worker who liaises with Communities on your behalf.
Communities provides direct supports to all carers including:
Additionally, the below organisations offer a variety of programs to assist foster and family carers:
- Foster Care Association of WA is an important partner in recruiting, training and supporting foster carers in Western Australia.
- Foster Families South West Inc. is a not for profit association supporting foster carers in the South West region of WA.
- OurSPACE WA is a free state-wide counselling service for Department of Communities foster and family carers who require some extra support.
- Services Australia – grandparent, foster and kinship carer advisers provides tailored help for all non-parent carers. Advisers can help even if you aren’t getting a payment or service from Services Australia.
- Raising Children – grandparents, kinship and foster carer services directory provides information about national, state and territory services and supports for carers in Australia.
- Fostering Hope Australia is a charity located in Wangara supporting children in out-of-home care.
- The Foster Share Shed is a non-profit organisation located in Mandurah that provides resources, support and a place for carers to meet.
- Promises Op Shop is a part of the Foster Share Shed, located in Mandurah.
- Grandcarers WA is a registered charity providing support and services to grandparents who are raising grandchildren in WA. Based in Warwick, with regional support groups in Gosnells, Kwinana, Mandurah, Mundaring and Northam.
Resources for current foster and family carers
There are a range of useful and practical resources available to assist family and foster carers in their role.
Visit Resources for current foster and family carers.
Foster and Grandcarer Gold Card
The Foster and Grandcarer Gold Card is a new initiative, linked through the ServiceWA app, to provide eligible foster carers, family carers and grandcarers with a range of discounts, credits and benefits.
Resources for prospective foster carers
If you are considering becoming a foster carer, there are a number of resources available to assist.
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