Leslie Massey
Fostering a child in Western Australia involves providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing home environment for children who, for various reasons, cannot live safely with their birth family. Foster carers come from all walks of life and play a vital role in changing the lives of vulnerable children by offering them a stable and loving family and home. To become a foster carer in Western Australia, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have relevant life experience, and provide a dedicated spare room for the child. Applicants will also need to pass a series of checks, assessments, and interviews, as well as receive training to ensure they can provide the necessary support, nurturing, guidance, and love that these children need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foster carer's age | 18 years old and above with relevant life experience; ideally 25 years old and above |
| Foster carer's relationship status | Single, partnered, married, with or without children |
| Foster carer's citizenship | Citizen or permanent resident of Australia |
| Foster carer's residence | Living permanently in Western Australia |
| Foster carer's sexual orientation | LGBTQIA+ friendly |
| Foster carer's religion | All religions |
| Foster carer's ethnicity | All ethnic groups; People who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are strongly encouraged to apply |
| Foster carer's employment status | Full-time, part-time or not working |
| Checks and assessments | National Police Check, Community Services Check, Working With Children Check |
| Training | Provided by Life Without Barriers, Wanslea, and Australian Childhood Foundation |
| Support | Provided by Wanslea, Life Without Barriers, Australian Childhood Foundation, and the Department of Communities |
| Allowance | Tax-free allowance provided to meet the needs of the child |
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What You'll Learn
Who can foster a child?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. You can be single, partnered, married, have multiple children, no children, or even fur-children! Foster carers are volunteers, so fostering is not considered income, and all potential carers need to show they are financially stable. Foster carers can also work full-time, part-time, or not at all.
To become a foster carer in Western Australia, you must be at least 18 years old, but ideally 25 years old or older with relevant life experience. You must also have the right to permanently live in Australia and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. It is also important to have a dedicated spare room for the child, and if you have a child under the age of 18 months, you will need to wait until they are 2 years old before starting your fostering journey.
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What checks are needed?
To foster a child in Western Australia, there are several checks and assessments that prospective foster carers must undergo. These checks are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the children being placed in foster care. Here are the key checks required:
Police and Departmental Record Check
Prospective foster carers must undergo a Police and Departmental record check. This involves a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check to ensure that the carer does not pose any potential risk of harm to the child. This check is specifically designed to assess whether an individual can safely work with children.
Working with Children Check (WWCC)
The WWCC is a compulsory screening strategy in Western Australia for anyone engaging in paid or unpaid "child-related work." It includes a criminal history check and ongoing assessment to ensure the safety of children. This check is distinct from a National Police Certificate as it focuses on the ongoing collection and assessment of information related to child safety.
Home Safety Check
An assessment of the carer's home environment is conducted to ensure it meets the necessary safety standards. This includes having a dedicated spare room for the child, except in certain cases where siblings in care may share a room if deemed safe and appropriate.
Personal Referee Checks
Foster carers are also required to provide personal references who can vouch for their character and suitability as a carer. These referees may be contacted and checked as part of the application process.
Health Examination
Prospective foster carers must undergo a health examination to ensure they are physically and mentally fit to take on the responsibilities of caring for a child. This may include assessing their ability to manage the challenges and stresses that may arise in a caring role.
Age and Residency Requirements
Foster carers must be at least 18 years old, and ideally 25 years old or older with relevant life experience. They must also have the right to permanently live in Australia and be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
These checks are comprehensive and necessary to ensure that foster carers are well-equipped to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment for children in need. The specific checks and requirements may vary depending on the organisation facilitating the fostering process and the individual circumstances of the carer and the child.
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What support is available?
There are a number of organisations across Western Australia that can support you in your foster carer journey. Foster carer resources include information sessions, information packs, and FAQs.
The Government of Western Australia has a number of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations that support foster carer families in ensuring Aboriginal children remain strongly connected to their culture, country, and family. If you choose to foster through an agency, you will have access to the support of the child's care team in the Department of Communities, as well as the agency's own support services.
Once approved as a foster carer, you will receive support from the Department or the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or Community Service Organisation you choose to foster through. The child's care team will primarily support you, helping you navigate how best to provide care for each child. The Department also has Aboriginal Practice Leaders, psychologists, and education officers available to support the cultural, psychological, and educational needs of the children in your care.
You will be invited to functions, events, and information sessions where you can meet other foster carers and learn new skills. You can also receive support from the Foster Care Association of Western Australia and access free, confidential counselling services.
Life Without Barriers is an organisation that provides support to foster carers in Western Australia. They offer training, help, and support from the first day of your journey, including a range of learning opportunities suited to your level of experience and the needs of the children in your care. This includes access to a large range of eLearning options on topics such as child development, understanding trauma and stress, and healthy living. They also provide 24/7 support for advice and direction in challenging situations, and their specialist staff work with children and carers where additional support is needed.
Wanslea is another organisation that provides support to foster carers in Western Australia. They offer an extensive range of support, including 24/7 telephone access to an experienced Social Worker. They also have Family Support Workers who can provide support and advocacy.
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What is the fostering experience like?
The fostering experience in Western Australia is a rewarding one, where foster carers generously open their homes to children in need, offering them a stable and nurturing environment. Foster carers take on a parental role, keeping the child's best interests in mind and providing a safe and loving home. It is a challenging role that requires carers to support the child's development, help them process their trauma and stress, and encourage them to stay connected to their cultural identity and birth family. Carers may look after a child for a few weeks, months, or even years, until they can be safely reunited with their birth family.
Foster carers come from all walks of life and can be single, partnered, or married, with or without their own children. They receive training and support throughout their journey, including access to learning resources on child development, trauma-informed care, and healthy living. Carers are expected to respond to the needs of the children in their care, including attending medical appointments, educational needs, extracurricular activities, and meetings.
The experience of fostering can be both enriching and challenging for carers, as they adapt their parenting skills to meet the unique needs of each child in their care. Carers often express that fostering has been one of the best decisions they've ever made, as they find joy in supporting vulnerable children and making a positive impact on their lives. It is a role that requires dedication and a strong support system, which is provided through organisations like Life Without Barriers, Wanslea, and the Foster Care Association of WA.
The support systems in place for foster carers in Western Australia include 24/7 access to experienced social workers and family support workers, who can provide parenting advice and guidance in challenging situations. Additionally, carers are invited to functions, events, and information sessions where they can connect with other foster carers, share experiences, and learn new skills. The Mockingbird Family™ program, for example, creates a community of foster carers supported by an experienced Hub Home Provider who offers connection, information, training, and emotional support.
Overall, the fostering experience in Western Australia is a rewarding and life-changing journey, where carers play a vital role in providing vulnerable children with the love, support, and stability they need to thrive. It is a role that requires dedication, adaptability, and a strong support system, but one that can bring immense joy and fulfillment to those who open their hearts and homes to children in need.
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How to apply to become a foster carer
Foster carers in Western Australia come from all walks of life. You may be single, partnered, or married, with or without children of your own. To become a foster carer, you must be at least 18 years old, with relevant life experience, but ideally, you would be 25 or older. You will need to have Australian citizenship or permanent residency and be living in Western Australia.
To begin the application process, you can complete an enquiry form on the website of the organisation you wish to foster through, such as Wanslea, Life Without Barriers, or the Department of Communities. A team member will then assess your suitability and, if approved, ask you to complete an application form and conduct an initial home visit. You will need to have a spare bedroom for the child and an area for play.
All applicants and household members aged 16 and older are required by law to undergo a National Police Check and a Community Services Check. There are some criminal charges that may prevent you from becoming a foster carer, while others may require further exploration to assess your suitability. Additionally, you will need to obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC), which includes a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
Once approved as a foster carer, you will receive support from the organisation and access to resources and training to help you in your role. You will also be invited to functions, events, and information sessions where you can meet other foster carers and learn new skills.
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Frequently asked questions
Foster carers must be at least 18 years old, with relevant life experience, but ideally 25+. They must also have Australian citizenship or permanent residency and live in Western Australia. All applicants and household members aged 16 years and older are required by law to undergo a National Police Check and a Community Services Check.
Foster carers in Western Australia can access support from the child's care team, which includes Aboriginal Practice Leaders, psychologists, and education officers. Carers can also receive support from the Foster Care Association of Western Australia, as well as free, confidential counselling services. Additionally, organisations like Life Without Barriers and Wanslea offer training and 24/7 support to foster carers.
Foster carers provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment for children who cannot live with their birth families due to various reasons. They take on a parental role, supporting the child's development, helping them explore their interests, and encouraging connections to their cultural identity and birth family. Foster carers may care for a child for a short period or commit to parenting them towards adulthood.
