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Becoming a foster carer
with Wesley Dalmar
Why become a foster carer?
As a Wesley Mission foster carer, you will be providing a safe, secure and loving environment for very vulnerable, at risk children. You’ll become a vital part of a unique mission we have to serve those most in need.
Ten reasons to become a foster carer
- give vulnerable children the opportunity to experience stability and care
- be part of a remarkable team
- work for an organisation committed to helping people most in need
- receive financial support, professional training and ongoing support
- use your skills and passion to raising children beyond your own family
- develop your skills and capacity in raising children
- extend the boundaries of your care and compassion
- offer meaningful support to the birth families of children
- nourish and enhance a child’s day to day life
- build stronger, healthier communities by raising strong, resilient children.
How to become a foster carer
Becoming a foster carer can be a life changing process of carer and child alike. See below and begin your journey with Wesley Mission.
The first step in becoming a foster carer is to register to attend an online information session. These sessions are for people thinking about becoming a foster carer, or curious about what’s involved in being a carer. You’ll be provided with information on the benefits and challenges of foster care and receive a comprehensive information pack.
As you would expect, foster carers are thoroughly assessed before they are authorised to care for children in their own homes. This process includes visits to the home, interviews with a Wesley Mission Caseworker and personal character references, including from a family doctor. A Working with Children Check and Police Checks are also obtained.
The process is comprehensive and usually takes between three and 12 months, followed by a careful matching process.
Ongoing training and support is provided to give foster carers the opportunity to meet other carers and get to know the Wesley Mission team that will be supporting them.
Steps to becoming a foster carer
Foster care is a life-changing and rewarding experience where you can offer children in need a safe place to call home. If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer with Wesley Dalmar, we’ll be with you every step of the way and help you build the skills and knowledge to give children the best start in life.
The best way to find out more about foster caring with Wesley Dalmar is to call us on 1300 325 627, or attend an online information session. We’ll provide an overview of the different types of foster care to help you think about which one might be right for you and your family. You can call us during business hours or register for an online information session.
If you’re interested in applying to become a foster carer a member of our carer recruitment team will visit you and your family. We’ll meet you in your home to provide more information and answer any questions you may have. If it seems like your family would be a suitable fit, we can provide an application pack and explain the mandatory probity checks required. We can also advise you on whether your house meets safety requirements or what needs to be done to meet these standards.
You’ll be invited to attend ‘Shared Lives’ foster carer training facilitated by our carer recruitment team. The training provides up to date information about fostering and will equip you in how to use therapeutic parenting strategies for children and young people who’ve experienced trauma.
Once you’ve completed the training, we’ll meet with you in your home again for about four or five assessment interviews. We’ll discuss more about your life, how you’ve managed challenging situations in the past, and how the Wesley Dalmar team can support you. We’ll also talk you through which type of fostering you’re most interested in and would be most suitable for your family.
A Wesley Dalmar panel will evaluate your application, training and assessment interviews to make sure your family is the right fit for foster caring. If so, a child will be matched to your family based on your preferences and capacity, and you’ll receive ongoing case management support and training.
Have a question?
Feel free to reach out using the form below.
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