QFKC
QFKC

Become a Carer

In Queensland, we have approximately 5200 foster and kinship carers from all walks of life, however, we always need more.

Carers can come from diverse cultural backgrounds and can be male, female, single, married or de facto, same sex couples and working either full or part time. If you are committed to providing a safe, stable, and supportive environment, you could be a carer too.

If you think your care could make the difference in a young person's life, we have the support and advice to help you - and some simple ways to get started.

Learn more about foster and kinship care at www.qld.gov.au/fostercare or call us on 1300 550 877

Attend a Q&A session

QFKC provide an opportunity for members of the public thinking about becoming a foster carer to link into a team’s Q&A session that takes place once a fortnight on a Tuesday from 12-1pm.  If you would like to attend the session to ask any questions you may have about becoming a foster carer please email recruitment@qfkc.com.au and request the link. 

What is Foster Care?

Foster and kinship care are forms of family-based care for children and young people who can’t live at home because they have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect, are at risk of experiencing one of these forms of harm, or cannot live at home for other reasons.

Care can be provided from a few nights to a few months or a few years (i.e. until the child turns 18). Carers may also provide emergency care for children or provide short breaks to other foster or kinship carers.

Foster and kinship care is not ‘one size fits all’. Children have different needs and require different types of care. Carers may have or develop special skills or preferences that will influence the type of care they provide.

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.

Types of care

Short-term care
Short-term carers provide ongoing, day-to-day care to children and young people for up to two years while Child Safety works towards reunifying the child with their family. Carers also work closely with Child Safety to help maintain regular contact between the child and their family.
Long-term care
Long-term care gives children a safe and stable home until they are 18 years of age when they can’t return to live with their family.
Short breaks
Some carers provide short breaks for long-term foster and kinship carers. These carers choose when they provide care, such as on weekends or during holidays. Often, new carers start out as carers providing short breaks and become full-time foster carers after gaining some experience. Some carers who provide short-term or long-term care may also choose to provide periods of short breaks for other carers and children, if it suits their situation.
Emergency carer
Emergency carers provide short-term care at short notice for children who urgently need a place to stay. This may be needed when a child first comes into care while a suitable longer term carer is identified, or if they need a home while waiting to move to long-term care. Emergency carers often are skilled in helping children who have experienced abuse and trauma. Some short-term or long-term carers may choose to also be available for emergency care placements.
Intensive foster care
Children may be placed with carers who provide intensive foster care if they require support for complex and special needs. Non-government intensive foster care services are responsible for recruiting, training, assessing and supporting carers to provide intensive foster care. Support for carers of children with complex and special needs includes additional training, financial support and respite.

More information

Agencies
Find a list of agencies across QLD and their contact details.
FAQs
Find answers to the most frequent questions asked about foster care.