Fostering, Great Parents Wanted
For your convenience, our most common questions are answered right here.
1. Who can be a foster parent?
Many different types of people make great foster parents. We need adults from a range of ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds in order to meet the wide range of needs of the children requiring care. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old and can be single women or men, cohabiting, married or same-sex couples, with or without children, young or old.
2. Do you need foster parents?
We are always in need of people that are willing to provide a safe, nurturing and understanding environment.
3. Do I need to have lots of space in my home to be able to foster?
You do not need a big house, but in most cases, depending on the age and gender of your children if you have them, you will need to have a spare bedroom to give the child much needed privacy and space.
4. Can I be a foster parent if my children still live at home?
This depends on the age of your children and the needs of the child you foster. Children who need care often have very complex needs and require a great deal of time and attention. Therefore, caring for a foster child may not be appropriate if your own children are still very young. Fostering a child is a big change so it is important to talk to your children and to ask them how they feel about it.
5. Can I be a foster parent if I work?
This depends on the needs of the child and the type of care you are providing as well as the flexibility of your work. For permanent care we usually request that someone is able to be at home for the first six months of the placement.
However, many of our parents who care for adolescents work full or part time, and respite providers are usually people who work full-time but are able to spend one weekend a month with a child.
6. Can I be a foster parent if I have a criminal record?
There are some offences and serious crimes which would automatically disqualify you from becoming a foster parent , however in general we assess each application on its individual merits and your eligibility to apply will depend on the nature of the offence and when it was committed.
7. How do I become a Foster Parent?
Please fill out the form. Click Here
8. Can I foster children of a specific age or gender?
Yes, you can specify an age range or gender of child you would like to foster. Our staff will discuss your preferences with you and assess your lifestyle to match the needs of a child to you and your individual situation.
9. How long will it take to become a foster parent?
It can take up to six months to be approved as a foster parent and then depending on which kind of care you are doing, it can take anything between a few days to several months to be matched with a child.
10. Will I receive any training?
Yes. All approved parent receive initial training specific to the type of care they are providing before a child or young person is placed with them. Monthly training is provided and one parent is expected to attend.
11. Do foster parents get paid?
No one can fully compensate for the 24 hours, seven day a week support our parents provide. We do provide reimbursement for the expenses and time in recognition of the time and effort it takes to be a foster parent, please see under benefits.
12. What support will I receive ?
Support is available to all our foster parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our case managers provide assistance, support and home visits and regularly assess the placement to ensure the needs of both the child and the parent are being met. Foster parents receive ongoing training
13. What if the child and I find it hard to get on with each other?
Children in care and their foster parents receive support throughout the placement and issues are dealt with by your case manager as they arise. OUR Center will ensure that children with physical, emotional or behavioral problems receive the necessary support to help both the foster family and the child deal with those issues.
Start a rewarding journey in Fostering with O.U.R CENTER. Click Here to fill out the Contact Me Form.