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OUR KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES.

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The ATSICHS Brisbane Foster and Kinship Care program is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander developed and implemented program that provides stability of placement for children in care so they stay connected to their community and culture, and their identity remains strong and alive.

We do this by working with our carers, to ensure that you feel supported, valued and most importantly listened to. Our care team is made up of passionate and skilled workers who understand and can walk with you, by empowering you with tools and strategies to do one of the most valuable jobs…. care for our most vulnerable children.

If you’ve ever thought about being a foster or kinship carer, have a look at our video and see how we can make it happen with you. You’ll hear from some of our care workers who will support you and some current carers who talk about their role and the rewards they get from seeing a smile on the face of a child and knowing they have made that child’s life better.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE . . . GET IN TOUCH

Call us 3029 6566 Register your interest

YOU CARE FOR OUR KIDS, WE’LL CARE FOR YOU

We know that deciding to become a foster carer is a big decision. That’s why we will be there to help and guide you every step of the way. We provide training and ongoing support to all our foster carers to ensure your placement is successful for you, your family and any children who may come into your care. We will also provide a range of supported activities and gatherings.

Each month we have morning tea gatherings, where you can meet and share stories with other carers. The morning includes professional training sessions. All morning teas run from 10am-1pm and are held at ATSICHS Child and Family Centre, 6 Glenda St, Waterford West.

Download our 2018 training calendar

HOW DO I BECOME A CARER?

Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a foster carer

Below is a quick overview of the steps in becoming a foster carer. If at any time you have any questions, remember you can call us. Want to know the process and get started? Our factsheet tells you all the steps you need to take on this journey. From your expression of interest, meeting with us, right through to your training and necessary assessment components, we will support you every step of the way.

Download our factsheet

1. Expression of Interest

We know that deciding to become a foster carer is a big decision. That’s why we will be there to help and guide you every step of the way.

If you are interested in becoming a foster or kinship carer first contact our Foster and Kinship Care Team at ATSICHS Brisbane by calling 07 3029 6566 or emailing fkc@atsichsbrisbane.org.au.

We specialise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements but our team of trained care workers support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Carers. We also provide training and wrap-around dental, health and wellbeing services for the children and young people as well as the families who care for them.

2. Initial contact

Once you have made initial contact, one of our Foster and Kinship Care Workers will contact you and begin the process. This starts with an expression of interest form.

You can also complete the expression of interest on our website. Once we have received your EOI one of our workers will call you to make a time to meet you and your family or arrange a time to call you to answer any initial questions you may have. This is a chance for us to learn more about you. For you, it is an opportunity to hear more about fostering.

An information pack will be provided to you following the interview.

3. Training

Prior to starting your assessment to be a foster carer, you will need to complete competency based training for foster carers. Training is delivered flexibly to suit your needs and time available.

There are four modules which are run throughout the year and we aim to modify times and dates to suit our future foster carers and their families. You will learn about why children enter care, their need to remain connected to their birth family and some of the issues they and you as their carer may experience. You will learn how to manage behaviours as well as the roles and responsibilities of both yourself, your agency (us) and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

Once you complete this training you will receive a Statement of Achievement.

4. Assessment

After your training is complete an assessment report is provided. After yarning with you (including people that live with you, which could include a spouse, children and friends), the assessor will make a recommendation to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

You are included in this process and will be given an opportunity to provide comments and feedback. Your assessor will submit your assessment to a panel of people who will, in turn make a decision in regards to whether your application has been successful.

If successful, you will be given a Certificate of Approval and your foster care journey begins

We know that deciding to become a foster carer is a big decision. That’s why we will be there to help and guide you every step of the way.

If you are interested in becoming a foster or kinship carer first contact our Foster and Kinship Care Team at ATSICHS Brisbane by calling 07 3029 6566 or emailing fkc@atsichsbrisbane.org.au.

We specialise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placements but our team of trained care workers support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Carers. We also provide training and wrap-around dental, health and wellbeing services for the children and young people as well as the families who care for them.

Once you have made initial contact, one of our Foster and Kinship Care Workers will contact you and begin the process. This starts with an expression of interest form.

You can also complete the expression of interest on our website. Once we have received your EOI one of our workers will call you to make a time to meet you and your family or arrange a time to call you to answer any initial questions you may have. This is a chance for us to learn more about you. For you, it is an opportunity to hear more about fostering.

An information pack will be provided to you following the interview.

Prior to starting your assessment to be a foster carer, you will need to complete competency based training for foster carers. Training is delivered flexibly to suit your needs and time available.

There are four modules which are run throughout the year and we aim to modify times and dates to suit our future foster carers and their families. You will learn about why children enter care, their need to remain connected to their birth family and some of the issues they and you as their carer may experience. You will learn how to manage behaviours as well as the roles and responsibilities of both yourself, your agency (us) and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

Once you complete this training you will receive a Statement of Achievement.

After your training is complete an assessment report is provided. After yarning with you (including people that live with you, which could include a spouse, children and friends), the assessor will make a recommendation to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

You are included in this process and will be given an opportunity to provide comments and feedback. Your assessor will submit your assessment to a panel of people who will, in turn make a decision in regards to whether your application has been successful.

If successful, you will be given a Certificate of Approval and your foster care journey begins

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE . . . GET IN TOUCH

Call us 3029 6566 Register your interest

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What is foster care?

A. Foster care is a form of family-based care for children and young people who cannot stay at home.

Foster carers are everyday people from all walks of life. Whatever they do or where they live, they have a very valued role in our community. Foster carers are part of a team of people who work to provide safe and supportive environments for vulnerable children and young people who cannot stay at home for various reasons. Our carers may provide care for one or two nights, a few months or even years depending on the situation. Where possible, children are reunited with their families as soon as possible. Carers assist this process through a commitment to maintain ongoing relationships between children and their families.

Children coming into care are of different ages, cultural and religious backgrounds. Contact with family helps children retain their connection and a sense of personal identity.

Q. Why become ​​​​​​​a carer?

A. Carers have a positive impact on a child or young person’s life and provide the extra support children need in what can be a difficult and confusing time in their lives.

It takes all types of people from all walks of life to care for children. To become an approved carer you will need to participate in an assessment process and complete our pre-service training. Carers may also have to complete additional specialist training to cater for a child’s particular physical or emotional needs. Carers need to be willing to maintain ongoing relationships between children and their families to support family reunification.

Q. Why choose ATSICHS?

A. Foster care at ATSICHS Brisbane is a way of providing culturally safe homes for our children. Through our carers and support we can ensure that our children stay connected to their community and culture and their identity remains strong and alive. In addition, you and your family will have access to a wide range of our other services for free including medical and dental services, counselling, family support and wellbeing and our youth program.

ATSICHS Brisbane is the largest, most comprehensive Aboriginal Medical Health Service in Queensland and Australia’s second oldest. We are determined to create a flourishing future and lasting legacy for our people and community.

A community owned health and human services organisation we deliver on the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in greater Brisbane and Logan. Established in 1973, we have grown to be one of the largest Indigenous community organisations in Queensland and proudly remain community controlled and managed. We provide a diverse range of health and allied services to more than 12,000 clients throughout the greater Brisbane and Logan areas. Primary health care is provided throughout our seven medical clinics.

We also have two dental clinics, mums and bubs programs, a youth service, social and emotional wellbeing programs and services, an aged cared facility – Jimbelunga, and a variety of family and child support services including child protection, a child and family centre at Waterford West and kindergarten programs. ATSICHS Brisbane also manages the Joyce Wilding Hostel, an 18–room, 27–bed facility that provides short term accommodation for vulnerable women and children. For more information visit www.atsichsbrisbane.org.au

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