38 Ord Street, West Perth, WA 6005 PO Box 202, Wembley, WA 6913 T: 08 9442 3444 E: [email protected]www.mercycare.com.au Fostering services Types of fostering Short-term fostering Ranging anywhere from a few days, to a few months to 2 years; short term care provides a stable, loving environment for a child whilst longer term plans are made for their future. Long-term fostering For children who live with long term foster parents, this is their ‘forever family’ until they reach adulthood and are ready to live independently. Respite fostering Respite carers offer occasional care that may be a day, weekend or a couple of days, to support other parents. Become a foster parent and start your journey
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38 Ord Street, West Perth, WA 6005 PO Box 202, Wembley, WA 6913T: 08 9442 3444 E: [email protected]
Fostering services
Types of fosteringShort-term fosteringRanging anywhere from a few days, to a few months to 2 years; short term care provides a stable, loving environment for a child whilst longer term plans are made for their future.
Long-term fosteringFor children who live with long term foster parents, this is their ‘forever family’ until they reach adulthood and are ready to live independently.
Respite fosteringRespite carers offer occasional care that may be a day, weekend or a couple of days, to support other parents.
Become a foster parent and start your journey
What is fostering?Fostering is about looking after a child who cannot live with their parents. This could be for a few days, a few months, several years or for the rest of their childhood.
Why do children need to be fostered?Children require fostering for all sorts of reasons and may have suffered bereavement, mental or physical abuse, neglect or combinations of these.
Who can foster?Foster parents are ordinary people who are making extraordinary differences to the lives of children and an amazing contribution to our community’s future.
We are looking for people who:• have genuine care, empathy and respect for
children;• have the time and space in their life for children;• can offer a stable and secure home;• are compassionate, flexible, consistent and
resilient;• are able to work in partnership with a variety of
professionals;• are willing to undertake training to enhance
their own skills and gain further understanding of children’s needs.
Fostering allowanceFoster parents receive a carer allowance to cover the expenses of caring for a child. Additional payments are made to cover exceptional expenses for a child. The maintenance allowance is determined according to the age of the child or young person.
Step FiveAssessmentAn assessor will be allocated to you to assess you and your family’s ability to care for and provide a positive and nurturing home for children in care. The assessor will prepare a report for the MercyCare Fostering Panel.
Step SixThe Fostering PanelYou will be invited to attend the panel with your assessor. The panel will make an informed decision on whether to recommend you as suitable to foster. If it is agreed that you are suitable, then you will become registered as a foster carer.
Step OneContactPlease call MercyCare Fostering Services on 9442 3444 or email [email protected] to discuss.
Step TwoHome VisitAfter we have spoken with you we will arrange a home visit so that we can meet you and your family together. This is an opportunity for us to answer any further questions. We need to see where you live. You will also need to have a spare bedroom.
Step ThreeChecks & ReferencesYou and everyone in your household who is over 18 will be asked to complete forms for Departmental Checks and Criminal Records Checks. The main carer will need to do a medical with their doctor and we will take up personal references.
Step FourTrainingWe will invite you to attend a training program. This consists of six modules run over six sessions (evenings) or two full days. You will learn about fostering and become more familiar with the role of foster carers.
The fostering processIt takes approximately 12 weeks or more to become a foster parent.
