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Curious about fostering but not sure where to start?

Join a free online info session to learn how you could change a child's future.
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Wondering if foster care is right for you?

Right now there are approximately 14,000 children and young people in NSW who are unable to live at home and are in need of stable, loving, care — even if just for a night. You could be the difference.

Foster care comes in many forms — each one a chance to create stability, love, and safety for a child in need. At Wesley Mission, we guide you through every step and ensure you're never alone in the journey.

125 +
125 +
Years of caring for children
14000
14000
Children and young people need a home in NSW
550 +
550 +
Children being cared for by our carers
12
12
Locations supporting families in NSW

Your path to becoming a carer

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Types of care
  • Respite care - Short term and to support an existing carer
  • Full time care - Become a permanent carer
  • Emergency care - Provide care for short term emergency needs
  • Kinship care - Care for a child on a short term basis
  • Specialist care - For children with complex needs
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Who can apply

Our foster carers come from all walks of life and can:

  • Be single or have a partner
  • Be from any culture or religion
  • Have their own children
  • Own or rent their home
  • Be working or not, studying or retired.

 

Our foster carers need to be:

  • Over 21
  • Willing to participate in training and the assessment process
  • An Australian citizen or a permanent resident
  • Willing to undergo background checks
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How it works

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How we support our foster carers

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24/7 support
On-call support day or night to help you in a crisis.
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Training
Access foster care training and support.
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Case manager
Monthly supportive visits from your case manager.
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Resources
Access to educational and scholarship opportunities.
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Financial support
Receive an allowance to help cover the costs of caring for a child or young person.
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Testimonial

  • “I don’t think I would be where I am and who I am right now if I hadn’t had those people showing me that I was worth the effort, worth the phone calls and worth chasing me. They made sure I was getting to school, I was getting to work and they assisted me with all those wonderful things,” Brodie shares, reflecting on his experience in foster care and his journey toward becoming a Case Manager with Wesley Dalmar.
    Brodie
    Former foster child

  • "He gives big cuddles and says, 'I love you, Mummy and Daddy'," Christina shares about their foster son, Lachlan. Lachlan, who’s been in foster care since he was born, entered Christina and Jason’s care on a long-term placement at just two years old. And their bond was immediate.  “We were instantly just Mum and Dad,” Christina says. And that bond grows every day.

    Christina and Jason
    Foster carers
  • "Katie has changed our lives,” Caitlin shares about the support she received from a Wesley Dalmar team member. “This has been the toughest experience of our lives and the most rewarding. And every step of the way, you were with us. And that means the world to us.”
    Caitlin and Nolan
    Foster carers
  • “Together we’ve travelled to many places and pursued successful careers, but we both agree that being foster parents is the best thing we’ve ever done,” Jules shares about their experience fostering multiple children through Welsey Mission's KickStart program - supporting young people to transition from foster care to independence at their own pace. “It’s so rewarding. That’s why I would encourage more people to do it.”
    Jules and Dave
    Foster carers

Where to next?

 

If you’re ready to take the next step, choose an option below.

Contact us
Our foster care team are ready to answer your questions whether you're just exploring the idea of foster care or looking to take the next steps, our team are here to help.
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