Foster Care

Foster care at VACCA is a way of providing culturally safe homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who cannot live with their birth families.

It is VACCA’s aim to have children placed in the care of their extended family or with members of their Aboriginal community. Where it is in their best interest, children and young people are reunited with their families as soon as possible.

We provide carers with extensive training, 24-hour caseworker support, a fortnightly allowance to cover day-to-day expenses and activities for the children and young people that they care for.

Are you interested in becoming a foster carer? Click here to fill in our expression of interest form.

Foster care at VACCA is about:

Providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with a positive and nurturing family life experience that will support their cultural, social and emotional development

• Providing a culturally safe home for children who cannot live with their birth families
• Recognising and maintaining the child’s Aboriginal identity and their place in the Aboriginal community
• Maintaining the child or young persons’ connections with their families and communities.

Who can become a foster carer?

Anyone over the age of 21 in good physical and emotional health can apply to become a foster carer.

Our foster carers are:

• Single, married, de facto or same-sex relationship
• Renting or own their own home
• Working full time, part time or stay at home
• From a diverse range of cultures with a diverse range of life experience
• Dedicated to maintaining and supporting children’s connection with their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander family, community and culture
• Committed to meeting the needs of the children and young people they care for
• Committed to attending ongoing therapeutic, cultural awareness and other training

What foster care options are available?

Emergency care – emergency care provides a secure, safe setting for a child or sibling group very soon after being removed due to care and protection concerns. Referrals are received 24 hours a day and placements may be made after hours

Respite care – Weekend or brief-stay respite offers regular, ongoing support to a child in a current placement, usually one weekend a month, or may be required for Aboriginal community members needing additional support or medical assistance.

Short term care – Short term placements are for children who are waiting a Children’s Court decision on their long term future, or who are to be returned to the care of their parent/s.

Long term care – Long term placements are for children placed in care under a final order until 18 years, sometimes with a view to permanent care.

Locations