Feel like you could offer a safe, loving space to a child in need? Become a foster carer with OzChild in the ACT and help create a brighter future for vulnerable children and young people. With OzChild, you’ll receive full support as you open your home and heart to a child in need.
Join one of our online information sessions to learn more about fostering in the ACT and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Enquire today
“The most rewarding part of being a carer is without a doubt the small moments. That moment when a child starts to open up, starts to trust you and feels comfortable. That’s when you know they feel safe.”
Chrissy CarerThey’re scared. They’re confused. They’re trying to cope with trauma. And they need a safe, nurturing place to go while it’s temporarily unsafe to live with their birth parents.
If you feel like now might be the right time to open your home and heart, you can be the support a child desperately needs during their hardest time.
It may be for a night, a weekend, a couple of months or long-term. Whatever you can give, there is a need for it and we’re here to help at every step.
Working Full-Time, Single, Renting, Living With a Disability
Everybody is capable of caring. Foster carers come from a diverse range of cultures, religions, sexual orientations, families and marital status. And yes, single people make great foster carers too!
What’s most important is your capacity to help a child thrive.
You can become a foster carer with OzChild if you:
Are over 21
Live in the ACT or within a 40min drive from Bruce
Can provide a clean and safe living space
Have a spare bedroom
When you offer short-term care, you give a child a secure, stable home as they go through the scary experience of being removed from their family. Short-term care can vary from just one night to up to two years. In most cases children require a safe place to live for a few weeks or months but some children also need somewhere to stay overnight, on weekends or during the school holidays.rnrnUltimately, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred placement duration.
As a long-term foster carer, you can give stability and permanency to children or young people who can no longer live in their family home. Every month, Child Protection asks us to find a safe, loving, long-term home for around 10 children. In these cases, the courts have decided it’s not safe for the child to return home. This could be for 6 months or more. It could be until they reach adulthood.rnrnWhen you offer long-term care, you give a child the security and care that every child needs and craves, so they can finally unpack their bag and just be a kid.
We went into our carer journey thinking we would only take young kids, now I realise we have so much to offer teenagers and feel like young people are those I can assist the most.
Mel and BarryCouple, with two kids, aged 9 and 11
If you are thinking about being a carer, we say, do it! Don’t be afraid to call on your peers for support, knowing we are not alone makes our journey all that much easier.
David and MichaelCouple, with no kids
I had always wanted to be a carer but was not sure I could as a single person, I always thought I had to be a part of a couple.
MadelineSingle, with no kids
To do your best work as a carer, you need support. That’s why every member of your household will be supported by the OzChild team. Not only that, you’ll also become part of a community of carers that is rich with knowledge, friendship and support for each other. So you’ll always have someone to call while you’re caring for a child or young person who desperately needs someone on their team. Your support network includes:
Respect, communication, support and relationships are at the core of our partnership promise to you. Your long-term wellbeing and happiness is one of our top priorities.
You’ll be supported with regular check-ins from your dedicated Carer Support Worker, monthly visits from your case manager, after-hours support, resources, training, and much more. So you have the foundation you need to make the biggest difference.
This will allow you to foster whilst you work Full-time or Part-time.
Offers flexibility.
It enables the foster child to interact with other children and positive role models whilst experiencing new things and having fun.
We have a community of carers who can help with advice and support, and who can provide you with items like clothes, car seats, toys or books, and most importantly, a unique friendship.
You’ll have the opportunity to join group meet ups and community events to let your hair down and get to know fellow carers.
“The joy we have experienced since becoming foster carers is incredible! And our own children (now adults) wouldn’t be the beautiful people they are today if we hadn’t decided all those years ago to foster.”
OzChild’s Foster Care Process
The accreditation process is an important part of safeguarding the wellbeing and happiness of vulnerable children. For that reason, the process is thorough and takes approximately 4-7 months. But you won’t have to navigate it all on your own. We will guide you through every step of the journey.
Sign up for an info session
“Every minute with the kids is rewarding. We love sharing new experiences with the children and our extended family welcome them with open arms.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Foster care is volunteer work but you will receive a tax-free fortnightly carer allowance. The allowance contributes towards the day-to-day costs of caring for a child or young person, like food, clothes, an increase in electricity, etc. The carer allowance starts from $568 per fortnight (Approx. $14K per year tax-free) and increases based on the age and needs of the child in your care.
Beth
Give our recruitment team a call on 1800 954 550, send an SMS to 0460 406 364 or email fostercare@ozchild.org.au
We’d love to help!
Caring for someone else’s child is a big decision. If you’re not ready to attend an info session and would like to read a bit more, we can send you a great guide that answers the following questions:
Select your region to create an enhanced and personal experience.
