Foster Care

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Foster Care

"Foster care is one of the most meaningful ways you can make a difference in a child’s life."

Regina and Brad Smithton, Bunbury WA

Why are kids in care?

Most families experience challenges at some point, and many receive support to help them stay together.

Before a child enters foster care, the Department of Communities and family support services work with parents to provide assistance such as counselling, parenting support, practical help at home, financial guidance, or emergency accommodation.

Often, this support is enough to help families through a difficult period.

However, sometimes families need more help than is available to them at that time. This can be due to isolation, illness, financial hardship, or a sudden crisis.

When parents are unable to safely care for their children -and there is no suitable family or community support available - children may need to spend time in foster care.

In rare and serious situations where a child’s safety is at risk, children may be removed from their home to ensure they are safe.

Foster care provides a stable, caring environment while families receive the support they need or longer-term plans are made.

What is Foster Care?

Foster care provides children with a safe, stable home when their parents are unable to care for them for a period of time.

Whenever possible, children are placed with relatives or people they already know. If this isn’t possible, they may live with a foster family chosen to best meet their needs. In some situations, a group home may be the most appropriate option.

Foster care can be short or long term. The goal is usually for children to return home when it is safe to do so. When this isn’t possible, longer-term care arrangements are considered.

Maintaining a child’s connection to their family, culture, and identity is an important part of foster care, helping children feel a sense of belonging and continuity.

Fostering

Becoming a foster carer

Learn what foster caring involves, what support is available, and how you can provide a safe, loving home for a child.

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Fostering

Already a foster carer?

Explore how our Care team provides Advocacy and Support to help you navigate meetings, services, and systems.

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Types of Foster Care

Foster care can be short or long term, emergency or planned, and may involve caring for children you already know or those placed through community organisations. There are many ways to foster, depending on what you can offer.

Kinship / Family Care

Care provided by relatives or significant people already known to the child, helping maintain family connections and a sense of connection and belonging within their community.

Temporary Care
  • Short-term care for children who need a safe place while longer-term plans are made.
  • Emergency care – immediate care for children who need a safe home at short notice.
  • Short break (respite) care – planned, short stays to give families and carers a break.
  • Pre-adoptive care – caring for a child while adoption arrangements are being considered.
Long Term Care
  • Protection order (time limited) for children who are in the CEO's Care, but a plan for reunification with their parents in in place.
  • Protection Order (until 18) caring for a child until they turn 18, however, reunification is still possible.
  • Special Guardianship Order grants parental responsibility for a child to foster carers until the child reaches 18 years. If an order is granted, the individuals with parental responsibility are referred to as special guardians and are not required to consult with the Department or the child's parents when making decisions for or with the child.
Out of Home Care (OOHC) Providers

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO's) and Community Service Organisations (CSO's) are service providers that are contracted by the Department of Communities to provide supported placements to Children in Care, in partnership with Departmental staff, such as Case Workers, Aboriginal Practice Leaders, Education Officers and Team Leaders.

Some providers are listed but not limited to: 

Resources

Our Resources

Helpful information, videos, training guides and trusted links and tools for current and prospective foster carers.

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