About Foster Care

Foster carers provide a safe and secure home for children who are unable to stay with their birth family. Children in foster care can be any age from birth to 18 years.

Children and young people in foster care may have contact with their birth family while they are living with a foster carer. This is arranged by the Department for Child Protection (DCP).

Respite care

 

Respite care involves having a child in care for short stays. This could be regular weekends, school holidays or one off overnight stays.

Respite care gives longer term foster carers a break and allows children to build new relationships and have new experiences.

Emergency care

 

Emergency foster care may involve an overnight stay or last for up to two weeks.

Carers who provide emergency care can be contacted at short notice at any time of the day.

Watch this video about a respite carer

 

Watch this video about providing emergency care

 

Short-term care

 

Short-term care can last from two weeks to two years. The aim is to give the birth family some time to manage a difficult issue.

The child may then return to their birth family if it is appropriate, or they may be placed in long term care.

Long-term care

 

for some children, returning to their birth family is not possible. Long-term care is provided until family circumstances change or until the child turns 18.

Watch this video about caring for children short-term

 

Watch this video about carers who provide long-term home based care for children

 

Foster Carer Qualities

What does foster care involve?

Foster carer qualities

  • a love of children
  • an ability to understand and respect each child as an individual
  • the capacity to look after young people in a safe and stable environment

Foster carers can be

  • any gender or sexual orientation
  • single, married, de-facto, blended families or same sex couples
  • usually between the ages of 25 and 70 years of age
  • with or without children of their own
  • Australian citizens or permanent residents
  • Undertaking various lifestyles involving a range of commitments such as working full-time, part-time, retired or studying.

Carers have a positive attitude

Foster carers must have a positive attitude and demonstrate common sense, patience, understanding, maturity, a sense of humour and flexibility, including:

  • A willingness to learn about issues that lead to children coming into care, particularly the effects of abuse and neglect.
  • An appreciation and understanding of the importance of a child’s connections to their family and cultural heritage and provide active support for these crucial links.
  • Demonstrate empathy and respond sensitively to children and young people’s needs.
  • A willingness to participate in ongoing learning and development through training, screening checks and carer assessments.

 

 

Carers provide a safe and stable environment

Stability and safety are an important focus in providing care for young people who have been removed from their birth family and familiar environments. Children who have been removed from their homes experience trauma which can lead to difficulties in adapting to change, therefore it is important that foster carers provide a safe and stable living environment.

  • Foster carers must have adequate safe accommodation for a child
  • It is not necessary for foster carers to own their own home
  • A separate bedroom must be available for each child who is placed with a foster care household with enough space for their personal belongings.
  • Foster care homes adhere to safety requirements and regulations.
  • Have a secure outdoor area
  • maintain a bushfire safety plan where appropriate.
  • Foster carers require a reasonable level of financial stability.
  • Strong, positive relationships characterised by warmth, constructive decision making and problem solving
  • Manage stresses that can come with everyday life and the role of caring for a young person
  • An ability to navigate challenging life experiences, which may include trauma, grief and loss in order to support a young person to do the same.
  • A reasonable level of mental and physical health.

Support network
Caring for children and young people can be a challenge at times, so it is important for foster carers to have a reliable network of practical and emotional support in place from their family, friends and community. For example, a foster carer’s support network may provide practical help with babysitting or transport.

Child focus

Foster carers provide a nurturing home environment that promotes a sense of belonging and positive identity for children and young people. This includes:

  • Care that is characterised by warmth, empathy and playfulness
  • Relationships that build a child’s sense of love, attachment and security
  • A focus on a child or young person’s life domains (explained below)
  • An ability to respond appropriately to challenging behaviours, including with other members of your family or household
  • An understanding of the impact of a child’s identity, culture and early experiences on their current and future needs
  • An understanding that a young person may only be in foster care for a short time and that their best interests will always be the top priority.

 

 

Nurturing care

Children and young people that have experienced abuse and neglect require nurturing care. This contributes to a child coming to terms with the adversity they have experienced and positive experiences in foster care. For many children, their first experiences of warmth, empathy and playfulness may occur in a foster care home.

Nurturing care builds a child’s sense of love, attachment and security. Foster carers are best supported to do this when they understand the effects of developmental trauma and attachment. Developmental trauma refers to the trauma endured during childhood when experiences of abuse and neglect have impacted on a child’s emotional, physical, psychological and cognitive development. Attachment refers to the bonding (emotional connection) between a child and their caregiver.

Foster carers receive initial and ongoing learning opportunities around developmental trauma and attachment to support them to provide nurturing care to young people. One of the models foster carers are trained in regarding nurturing care is the PACE model – Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. More information is available in the ‘learning and development’ section on page 16.

Life domains

Life domains refer to the significant aspects of a child’s life which support their development and opportunities to reach their full potential. The ‘care team’ is responsible for ensuring a child’s life domains are supported so that they are encouraged to have hopes and visions for their future. For more information about the role of the ‘care team’ refer to page 14 below in ‘working with others’.

Broadly a child’s life domains include:

  • health
  • education and employment
  • family and caregiver relationships
  • connection with family and kin
  • identity
  • emotional and behavioural adjustment
  • social and peer relationships
  • life skills.

 

 

Care of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) children and young people

The Department for Child Protection and ac.care have a commitment to placing CALD children and young people with carers who share their cultural background.

The Children and Young Person (Safety) Act 2017 informs the practices of ac.care and the Department for Child Protection. The legislation requires that consideration is given to a child and young person’s culture, disability, language and religion and those in whose care children and young people are placed.

Where children are unable to be placed with culturally appropriate carers, Non-CALD carers are able to provide for a CALD child or young person. Carers are expected to support the child’s ongoing connection with the child’s CALD culture.

Support for Foster Carers

Sharing the care journey with ac.care

 

 

Foster carers benefit from support and guidance to provide the best possible care for vulnerable young people within a safe and stable home.

ac.care provides support to foster carers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in a comprehensive and adaptive way to match the needs of carers and young people. Our team provides support for every step of the foster care journey beginning with ac.care helping prospective foster carers in their consideration, this progresses to working through the application and assessment steps through to become a registered carer. Our tailored support for a registered foster care household includes:

  • Regular home visits and contact from an assigned ac.care placement support worker
  • Information about how to communicate and advocate across the care team, such as with schools, government departments and other agencies
  • Opportunities to connect with the local carer community and regular social events
  • Education with comprehensive learning and development opportunities
  • Consultation with a qualified and experienced psychologist
  •  Access to financial support through the Department for Child Protection.

 

Individual support

All carers are allocated an ac.care placement support worker (PSW) who will become their key contact person within ac.care. They are available over the phone or via email and will visit your home every 8 weeks as a minimum and more frequently where required. For example, when a young person is first placed within your home, your placement support worker will be available to visit more frequently depending on your support needs.

Foster carers develop strong and open relationships with their placement support workers, who share the journey every step of the way. Your placement support worker will help you to understand and navigate the complexities of foster care and relationships. They will communicate with you about:

  • any potential placements of children and young people
  • the day to day care for young people placed in your care
  • processes and procedures, standards of care and caregiver expectations
  • training requirements and carer learning and development opportunities
  • annual renewal of carer registration through annual reviews of the carer household
  • any concerns that may arise within the care team

 

Care Team

Foster carers, the Department for Child Protection and ac.care as the support agency form part of a ‘care team’ for children and young people who are under guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection. The Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection is the legal guardian of children in foster care.
Caring for a young person in foster care involves working collaboratively with a team of people who share the responsibility of their care and development. Foster carers are essential members of the care team making day to day decisions about a child in their care and are supported to participate in decision making around a child’s health, safety, welfare and wellbeing.
This group of people is often referred to as the ‘care team’ and involves the:

  • Child or young person
  • Department for Child Protection case manager
  • Foster carer(s)
  • ac.care Placement Support Worker.

It may also involve the birth family, other family members and relevant professionals in the young person’s life, such as teachers, psychologists, paediatricians or other medical professionals.

 

Working with others

Foster carers have a capacity to work with others in order to meet the life domains and care needs of a child. This will involve a willingness and ability to communicate with and participate in the ‘care team’ for planning and reviewing of the child’s care and opportunities for development. Foster carers demonstrate:

  • good interpersonal and clear communication skills
  • recognise that they are one part of a team caring for the child
  • an ability to communicate openly and cooperatively with all people in the child’s life to prioritise the best outcomes for the child.

 

Financial support

ac.care does not provide direct, ongoing financial support to foster carers, however the Department for Child Protection provides assistance to foster carers through the ‘Carer Support Payment’ to help meet the costs of caring for a child.

All school students in foster care are eligible for the South Australian School Card. It offers financial assistance with educational expenses for students attending government and non-government schools. Foster carers may also be eligible to receive additional payments from the government, such as family tax benefit, the parenting payment and payments to help families.

Refer to information on the Department for Child Protection website to find out more about carer payments, including additional payment for children with special needs and incidental payments.

 


 

Learning and Development

 

The knowledge and skills of foster carers contribute to providing care in a safe and secure environment and can positively influence a child’s experience. ac.care works alongside foster carers to encourage and support their ongoing commitment to learning and development. This includes supporting carers to develop nurturing, trauma-informed and responsive care.

Recognising current skills and knowledge, we work with foster carers to develop individualised plans for engagement in a tailored range of learning and development opportunities. These include mandatory training through to specific areas of learning to support carers both personally and as caregivers. Opportunities for learning are flexible, occurring through face to face and online platforms and extend beyond business hours to evenings and flexible correspondence study where required.

 

Mandatory training

There are training areas which are mandatory requirements during the application and assessment process to become a foster carer, referred to as ‘pre-approval training’. This includes a two-day foundational foster care orientation, along with training in safe care of infants, mandatory reporting and first aid. Foster carers are required to update their knowledge and skills in these mandatory training areas on an ongoing basis to maintain registration. For more detail on the mandatory training requirements refer to page 25.

 

Further learning

Outside of the mandatory training requirements, foster carers are encouraged to engage in further learning opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, during the foster care assessment process, you and your assessment worker will identify specific areas where training can support the start of your fostering journey. Additionally, when a young person is placed with a foster carer, training may be identified for a foster carer to best meet the child’s specific care needs. Some of the further learning areas include:

  • Attachment and bonding
  • Autism and other conditions
  • Childhood development
  • Cultural awareness, including Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)
  • Developmental trauma and trauma-based behaviour
  • PACE model of care: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy
  • Positive parenting, responsive care and interventions.

If you are interested in finding out more about the further learning opportunities, please contact us and we can provide additional information.

 

Care consultation

ac.care supports foster carers through clinical consultation opportunities with Dr Ivan Raymond of the Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation (LBI Foundation). Dr Raymond is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in working with people in out of home care (OOHC). He is a leading expert in intentional practice, wellbeing, resilience and trauma. Dr Raymond facilitates carer training groups, webinars and one-on-one consultation with carers.

 


 

Carer Community

 

 

The current carer community ac.care support includes over 180 households, caring for close to 400 children, who are located across a large geographical area in the Limestone Coast, Riverland, Murray Mallee, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills.

ac.care recognises there are many benefits to foster carers connecting with their local carer community, including peer support and understanding. To assist with these connections, ac.care schedules regular social events, such as morning teas and annual celebrations, including Foster Carers Week in September and festive season events, which involve the whole foster care household.


 

Financial Support

 

ac.care does not provide direct, ongoing financial support to foster carers, however the Department for Child Protection provides assistance to foster carers through the ‘Carer Support Payment’ to help meet the costs of caring for a child.

Visit the Department for Child Protection (DCP) website to read more about carer payments and download the Carer Support Payments handbook for specific amounts.

Foster Carer Stories

Community forum to inspire people to open hearts and homes to children

Jun 6, 2024

PEOPLE passionate about the welfare of children are urged to attend a foster care forum this month in Strathalbyn to learn how they can make a difference in young local lives. Foster carers are needed to support vulnerable children unable to live with their birth parents in the Murraylands, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills. Regional … Continued

Learn more

Murraylands foster carers driven by love to help children succeed

Mar 27, 2024

MURRAYLANDS couple Suzanne and Darren Moss have been guided by love and a passion to help children succeed as country foster carers for almost a quarter of a century. Blessed with a country lifestyle on 130 acres in the Murraylands, the rural setting has provided a perfect backdrop for children to grow and thrive. From … Continued

Learn more

Hear from Holly – a foster carer with ac.care

Feb 20, 2024

Join Holly at Murray Bridge Library on Friday, February 23 to chat, ask questions and hear about her experience as a foster carer. Our foster care team member Melissa will also be there to discuss how ac.care supports carers and how to get your journey started. You can learn more about the difference Holly has … Continued

Learn more

Decades of care leaves proud legacy for Muir family

Apr 3, 2023

THE story of Murraylands couple Jock and Lynette Muir is one of generosity, kindness and true dedication to helping children in need. Decades ago, they opened their home to foster children with the support of country agency ac.care, providing a safe and loving environment, and ultimately changing the course of the lives of young people in their care.

Learn more

Childhood foster support prepares Jess to thrive as young adult

Feb 17, 2023

Become a foster carer – learn more MAKE every opportunity count has long been a mantra for Mount Gambier teenager Jess, who is about to embark on her next journey studying a double degree at the University of South Australia. It is the latest goal set by the 18-year-old who has been a high achiever … Continued

Learn more

Mount Gambier foster care manager swaps roles to help flood-affected residents

Feb 3, 2023

A MOUNT Gambier social worker witnessed first-hand the impacts of the River Murray flooding on Riverland communities after volunteering for three weeks to support affected residents. ac.care Limestone Coast foster care service manager Sherri Winter was a welcoming and compassionate presence for residents seeking support at the Riverland emergency relief centre in Berri. Ms Winter … Continued

Learn more

Fleurieu couple’s lives transformed by foster care

Sep 6, 2022

“He’s done more for us than we have for him,” says Fleurieu Peninsula foster carer Tony about the boy he has welcomed into his family with wife Laura.

Learn more

National Child Protection Week highlights need for foster carers

Sep 5, 2022

CARING adults living in regional South Australia can play a key role in ensuring the state’s most vulnerable babies, children and young people receive safety, care and support when they need it most.

Learn more

Super-mum Michelle provides a loving home for six children

May 5, 2022
COUNTRY South Australian mum Michelle was juggling work commitments and caring for her three children as a sole parent when she decided she still had space in her heart and home to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a foster carer.Today, her career is on hold, but her house is full of love, colour and … Continued
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Mount Gambier foster care coffee morning

Mar 9, 2022

Do you have space in your heart and home to offer a child in the Limestone Coast your love and support as a foster carer?ac.care is seeking caring adults to become foster carers to support vulnerable local children long-term, short-term, in emergency situations or to provide occasional respite for other carers. You can find out … Continued

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Foster Care information session coffee morning – Berri

Mar 9, 2022

Do you have space in your heart and home to offer a child in the Riverland your love and support as a foster carer? ac.care is seeking caring adults to become foster carers to support vulnerable local children long-term, short-term, in emergency situations or to provide occasional respite for other carers. You can find out … Continued

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Foster Care Information Session – Renmark Library

Feb 7, 2022

Become a foster carer with ac.care Join Brenton at Renmark Library, on Tuesday 22nd February at 4.30pm for an information session about the process to become a foster carer and to have your questions answered. To find out more, call 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273) or email care@accare.org.au

Learn more

Lions helps share festive thanks to carers

Dec 30, 2021

LIONS clubs have helped ac.care share gratitude to foster carers on behalf of the community for the remarkable contribution they make to supporting young lives. When COVID-19 concerns prevented Christmas events being held to bring carers, children and ac.care staff together to mark the end of the year, Lions clubs answered the call for donation … Continued

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Steps to become a carer

Application and Assessment Process

 

There are several steps in the process of becoming a registered foster carer. Due to the complex nature of foster carer applications and assessments, generally this will take from six to nine months and includes these steps:

Registration of Interest
Information exchange meeting
Submission of application and background screening checks
Assessment interviews and training
Submission of the assessment to the Department for Child Protection for approval

 


 

ac.care assessment worker

Right from the start, when you register your interest in becoming a foster carer, you will begin working with an ac.care assessment worker. This person is part of our foster care team and normally located within your region. Your assessment worker will work closely with you during the whole process. They will be your primary contact for the application, assessment, approval and registration steps.

 


 

Background Screening Checks

Background screening checks are a requirement of all foster care applications. A thorough assessment is required of each carer and household to ensure the safety of children placed in foster care homes. This includes:

  • Department of Human Services (DHS) Working with Children Check (WWCC)
  • Department for Child Protection Child Protection History Check
  • Health assessments
  • Home safety check
  • Personal referee checks
  • Consideration of any previous applications to become a foster carer with other agencies in Australia and overseas.

Home safety check

Your assessment worker will visit your home and undertake the home safety check with you. This identifies any safety risks where you may need to make changes to meet the home safety requirements. Examples of the safety requirements include:

  • ensuring that dangerous items such as detergents are not accessible to children
  • having a secure outdoor area
  • securing a guard around heaters and wood fires
  • a bushfire safety plan is maintained where required.

Personal referees

You will be asked to provide two personal referees who are unrelated but have known you for at least two years and can comment on your background, experience and suitability to care for children and young people.

Privacy

The information provided in your application, including background screening, consent to share information and any further information will be treated confidentially and will not be used without your prior consent for any purpose other than to assess your application for foster care. ac.care abides by the Privacy Act 1988 and adheres to the Australian Privacy Principles in collecting, storing and managing personal information. ac.care is committed to protecting individuals’ rights of privacy and confidentiality while delivering quality services.

 


 

Assessment and Training

Once the foster care application and background screening checks are complete, pre-approval training and assessment interviews will commence. Initially all applicants will undertake foundational training called ‘Shared Lives’, which is facilitated over two days. Following its completion, there are approximately five face-to-face assessment interviews with your assessment worker. The number of interviews may increase depending on your circumstances. Other pre-approval training requirements will be scheduled during this time.

The pre-approval training helps develop the knowledge and skills required to become a foster carer. Mandatory training sessions for all foster care applicants are as follows:

Shared Lives
A foundational foster care orientation training program facilitated over two days. Shared Lives provides applicants with an overview of children in care, their responses to trauma, family contact and how to manage one’s own responses to challenging behaviours. Key topics:

  • How and why do children come into foster care?
  • Impact of developmental trauma and behaviour
  • Helping children feel safe
  • Promoting identity and birth family contact
  • Grief, loss and separation trauma
  • Responding to behaviour
  • Maintaining cultural connections
  • Support, teamwork and the care team.

Safe Environments for Children and Young People (Through their Eyes)
This one-day training program covers the responsibilities of foster carers as mandatory reporters. The course explains the Department for Child Protection system in context, different types of child abuse and neglect, how to make a notification to the child abuse report line (CARL) and how to respond to disclosures of child abuse and neglect. every 3 years.

Safe Care of Infants
This training course was developed by Kidsafe SA and provides the safest and most current practices for the care of infants placed in foster care, as well as injury prevention for all children and young people. Information covered includes understanding the range and incidence of preventable childhood injuries and strategies to reduce preventable injuries and increase safety of the home environment. For example, safe infant sleeping practices. Refresher training is required every 2 years.

Provide First Aid
This training course is run by St John and covers first aid response in a range of situations until the arrival of an ambulance. Foster carers are strongly encouraged to attend first aid refresher training every 3 years.

Information sessions

 

Our inspiring foster carers open their hearts and homes to hundreds of young people in need across eastern regional South Australia, transforming the lives of vulnerable children and youths.

But we need more people to join our network of carers – to provide long-term, short-term, occasional or respite care – for the growing number of young people in care with nowhere to call home.

Find out more about what is involved in becoming a foster carer and how ac.care will support you along every step of the journey by participating in one of our online information sessions.

Our webinar-style online events will feature ac.care staff members available to answer your questions.

The online information sessions will run for up to 30 minutes and cover general information about the role of foster carers, types of care, support available and the approval process to become a carer.

 

Online foster care information session registration

 

We do not currently have a foster care webinar scheduled, but if you would like to join our next session or for us to get in contact to discuss foster care with you in person or over the phone, please provide your details in the event registration form below and we will be in contact.

 

Name(Required)
Address
Untitled
Age group
Home region
Untitled

 

There is no ‘hard sell’ in the online or in-person sessions – it’s an opportunity to learn more and meet the ac.care staff who will help by answering questions and assisting with the assessment procedure if you choose to become a foster carer.

Our network of foster carers are greatly valued by ac.care and we continue to work in partnership with our carers, supporting them every step of the foster caring journey, with staff on call 24/7.

Foster Carer Events

Community forum to inspire people to open hearts and homes to children

Jun 6, 2024

PEOPLE passionate about the welfare of children are urged to attend a foster care forum this month in Strathalbyn to learn how they can make a difference in young local lives. Foster carers are needed to support vulnerable children unable to live with their birth parents in the Murraylands, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills. Regional … Continued

Learn more

Foster carers celebrated

May 11, 2022
SOCIAL OUTING: Foster carers Rebecca Moroney and Jess Peters with ac.care placement support worker Anne-Maree Irvine.THE remarkable contribution of foster carers providing safe homes to vulnerable children has been celebrated by ac.care with Easter barbecues.The country specialist agency hosted a Limestone Coast Easter barbecue for foster care families, with the Mount Gambier Rapid Relief Team … Continued
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Christmas and social events bring foster carers together

Oct 20, 2021

FOSTERING relationship building and supportive connections among our foster carer network is a vital part of our work. Keeping foster carers connected with one another allows the support they receive to extend beyond ac.care staff and the broader care team to also include fellow carers. This is facilitated and encouraged through events throughout the year, … Continued

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Foster care staff learn together to keep children safe

Oct 20, 2021

KEEPING all children safe and Aboriginal young people connected to culture were among core focus areas when foster care staff from across ac.care’s regions gathered for three days of intensive development and learning opportunities. Staff from the Limestone Coast, Riverland, Murraylands and Adelaide Hills gathered in Murray Bridge in May to develop their practice skills … Continued

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FAQ's

The time it takes to become an approved foster carer varies.
Applicants are encouraged to progress at their own pace, however on average the process takes between 3 – 6 months.

Children and foster carers are matched according to the child’s needs and the preferred family structure of the carer or carers.
To minimise disruption to the child, they usually stay in their local area wherever possible.

If a child is staying for a short period they will usually remain at their own school so they continue to have contact with familiar people and places.

If it’s a long term placement then schooling options for the child would be discussed in partnership with the child’s case worker.

Yes.
Holidays are often an experience that children and young people have not had. You will need to talk with the child’s case worker as it may affect regular contact with a parent.

Yes.
You can give your preference about the age and gender of a child you think would fit best with your family and lifestyle.

No.
You do not have to declare the subsidy you receive for the child or young person as income.

Yes.
You can discuss your particular area of interest and what type of care you think may be suited to your family with your fostering agency.

Yes.
It’s important to include your family and all your household members in discussions about becoming a foster carer. All household members will need to meet with the fostering assessment worker and be involved in the process of becoming a foster carer.

Yes.
Foster carers are volunteers. Your fostering agency will always discuss placements with you.

No.
Each child in foster care has a case worker who is responsible for arranging birth family access. Arranging birth family access is not the responsibility of the foster carer.
Foster carers details are not provided to birth families.

Some people begin by attending an information session about foster care where they can have their questions answered.
If you have particular questions about foster care it can be helpful to contact us direct.

When you become a carer with ac.care you can nominate the type of care that would best you’re you and your family.

You can nominate an age range of the children you would like to care for and the gender to suit your family and these may be modified as your circumstances change.

When you become registered as a foster carer you can choose when you take on the placement of a child and can say no to a placement at any time if it does not fit in with your current commitments.

The requirements to become a foster carer is that you are able to provide a safe and nurturing home environment and it is recommended that foster children do have their own space. Foster carers may choose to foster more than one child which enables siblings to stay together and they can be placed together, if appropriate. This will be discussed with the ac.care support workers at the time of placement.

  • ac.care provide 24 hour 7 days a week support to all our carers what this means is that carers have direct contact with one of our support team to answer any questions or to provide assistance when needed.
  • ac.care offers a clinical psychologist that is available for carers and offers regular training sessions for all of our carers
  • When you become a foster carer with ac.care you have regular home visits from our support team and regular phone contact to discuss any issues or concerns and success stories you may have when fostering a child.
  • All ac.care carers have the opportunity for regular respite care from other carers allowing your family have respite from the placement.

8724 5476

Becoming a foster carer can be very rewarding If you are interested in becoming a foster carer the first step is to contact ac.care to arrange a time to speak with one of our team. Following this you submit your application and begin the assessment process.

Foster carers are normal everyday people who have chosen to provide foster care as a way of supporting their community.

People who care for children from all cultural and religious backgrounds
Anyone with a passion to care for children, committed and has the time to provide a high standard of care for children.

Anyone that can provide a safe nurturing and stable environment for children to develop and grow. Someone who wants to learn more about providing better care for children. Someone who can work as part of a team

We would love to hear from you!

 


Community forum to inspire people to open hearts and homes to children

PEOPLE passionate about the welfare of children are urged to attend a foster care forum this month in Strathalbyn to learn how they can make a difference in young local lives. Foster carers are needed to support vulnerable children unable to live with their birth parents in the Murraylands, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills. Regional … Continued
read more

Murraylands foster carers driven by love to help children succeed

MURRAYLANDS couple Suzanne and Darren Moss have been guided by love and a passion to help children succeed as country foster carers for almost a quarter of a century. Blessed with a country lifestyle on 130 acres in the Murraylands, the rural setting has provided a perfect backdrop for children to grow and thrive. From … Continued
read more

Hear from Holly – a foster carer with ac.care

Join Holly at Murray Bridge Library on Friday, February 23 to chat, ask questions and hear about her experience as a foster carer. Our foster care team member Melissa will also be there to discuss how ac.care supports carers and how to get your journey started. You can learn more about the difference Holly has … Continued
read more

Decades of care leaves proud legacy for Muir family

THE story of Murraylands couple Jock and Lynette Muir is one of generosity, kindness and true dedication to helping children in need. Decades ago, they opened their home to foster children with the support of country agency ac.care, providing a safe and loving environment, and ultimately changing the course of the lives of young people in their care.
read more

Childhood foster support prepares Jess to thrive as young adult

Become a foster carer – learn more MAKE every opportunity count has long been a mantra for Mount Gambier teenager Jess, who is about to embark on her next journey studying a double degree at the University of South Australia. It is the latest goal set by the 18-year-old who has been a high achiever … Continued
read more

Mount Gambier foster care manager swaps roles to help flood-affected residents

A MOUNT Gambier social worker witnessed first-hand the impacts of the River Murray flooding on Riverland communities after volunteering for three weeks to support affected residents. ac.care Limestone Coast foster care service manager Sherri Winter was a welcoming and compassionate presence for residents seeking support at the Riverland emergency relief centre in Berri. Ms Winter … Continued
read more

Fleurieu couple’s lives transformed by foster care

"He's done more for us than we have for him," says Fleurieu Peninsula foster carer Tony about the boy he has welcomed into his family with wife Laura.
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National Child Protection Week highlights need for foster carers

CARING adults living in regional South Australia can play a key role in ensuring the state's most vulnerable babies, children and young people receive safety, care and support when they need it most.
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Mount Gambier foster care coffee morning

Do you have space in your heart and home to offer a child in the Limestone Coast your love and support as a foster carer?ac.care is seeking caring adults to become foster carers to support vulnerable local children long-term, short-term, in emergency situations or to provide occasional respite for other carers. You can find out … Continued
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Foster Care information session coffee morning – Berri

Do you have space in your heart and home to offer a child in the Riverland your love and support as a foster carer? ac.care is seeking caring adults to become foster carers to support vulnerable local children long-term, short-term, in emergency situations or to provide occasional respite for other carers. You can find out … Continued
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Foster Care Information Session – Renmark Library

Become a foster carer with ac.care Join Brenton at Renmark Library, on Tuesday 22nd February at 4.30pm for an information session about the process to become a foster carer and to have your questions answered. To find out more, call 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273) or email care@accare.org.au
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Lions helps share festive thanks to carers

LIONS clubs have helped ac.care share gratitude to foster carers on behalf of the community for the remarkable contribution they make to supporting young lives. When COVID-19 concerns prevented Christmas events being held to bring carers, children and ac.care staff together to mark the end of the year, Lions clubs answered the call for donation … Continued
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ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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