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Foster carer Port Macquarie

Becoming a foster carer can be one of the most meaningful and purpose-driven experiences of your life. It might include being there for a child or young person during a crisis, providing a temporary safe environment or offering a loving long-term home, which may even lead to permanent placement.

When you become a foster carer in Port Macquarie, it’s one of the most impactful ways you can positively influence young lives within your community.

Wesley Mission runs a vital foster care program in the Mid North Coast of NSW. If you're in the area, consider getting involved, starting with a friendly chat. Call us on 1300 325 627 or sign up online for a Wesley Foster Care info session.

We'll offer detailed insights to help you understand what it entails to open your home and heart to a child or young person in need. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn about foster care in Port Macquarie and see how you can make a highly valuable contribution to young lives.

Book an info session

Why choose Wesley Mission for foster care in Port Macquarie?

At Wesley Mission, we have prioritised the wellbeing of children and young people for over 130 years. Our longstanding commitment to caring fuels our dedication to providing children and young people with safe, stable, loving and nurturing homes.

When you choose to foster with Wesley Mission in the Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast region of NSW, we’ll be with you every step of the way, helping you provide lasting support to a young person.

If you live in and around Port Macquarie and have an authentic interest in caring for children, consider the possibility of becoming a foster carer with the Wesley Dalmar Foster Care program.

Why should you become a foster carer in Port Macquarie through us? With a powerful support network and program framework, we offer some of the most dependable foster care conditions in Australia.

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Ongoing, timely support

Including a 24/7 call line, monthly case manager visits, financial support and respite care.

Diverse types of care

From short-term care to permanent placement, kinship care to respite, we enable foster care options that suit you.

Deep experience and networks

With a long history and operations across NSW, you’ll know you’re backed by a long-standing organisation and extensive network of peers.

Culturally connected care

We’re committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are cared for within their culture and community by partnering with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations.

If you have a genuine interest in caring for children, consider providing foster care in Port Macquarie, NSW, with us.

How we support our foster carers

24/7 Support

On-call support day or night to help you in a crisis.

Ongoing Training

Access NSW foster care training and support.

Case manager support

Monthly supportive visits from your case manager.

Personalised care services

Get referrals to medical specialists, tutors or other Wesley Mission support services.

Resources for education

Access to educational and scholarship opportunities.

Financial support

Receive an allowance to help cover the costs of caring for a child or young person.

Peer support

Get the opportunity to connect with other foster carers in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast of NSW. It’s a chance to gain valuable peer support and build a community for you and the child you are looking after.

A break when you need it

Access regular respite to support your wellbeing.

Support from a chaplain

Receive emotional and spiritual support when you need it.

Types of foster care you can provide in Port Macquarie

Foster Care | Secondary Image | Judi Allan

Give a child or young person a safe home to stay in at a time of crisis. This care is typically needed at short notice and can range from a single day up to a stretch of four weeks.

Give a child or young person a temporary place to stay until they can return safely to live with their birth family or find another permanent home. The length of this care ranges from four weeks to two years.

Foster Care | Secondary Image | Cara Luke

Care for a child or young person who is not able to live with their birth family and requires long-term support until they reach independence.

Foster Care | Secondary Image | Stedmans

Care for a child or young person who has high and complex needs. These may include disability, challenging behaviours, being part of a large group of siblings or having mental health issues.

Care provided by relatives, friends or someone with whom the child or young person already has a trusting relationship. This opens up the option to later become a legal guardian.

Foster Care | Landing Page | Woman Holding Little Girl Holding a Teddy Bear - Respite Care

Give foster carers a deserved break by offering flexible care for a day, a couple of weeks, school holidays or one weekend every month.

Can I become a foster carer in Port Macquarie?

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

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

To be eligible, you're required to : 

Be healthy
Be over 21
Participate in NSW fostering training and the assessment process
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Undergo background checks.

Foster Care | Landing Page | Woman Reading Something To Child - Can I be A Foster Carer

Steps to becoming a foster carer

Have a chat

Call 1300 325 627 or attend an online information session to learn about fostering.

Home visit

We’ll discuss if your family and home are a good fit and how to apply.

Complete Training

Learn strategies to support a child or young person who’s faced trauma.

Assessment interview

We’ll have deeper discussions to determine if your family is suited to fostering.

Become a carer

If your application is successful, you’ll be matched with a child or young person.

Real reviews by our foster carers

“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 Wesley 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

FAQs

Why should I be a foster carer in Port Macquarie?

Port Macquarie has a strong community spirit, but also faces social challenges. Becoming a foster carer in Port Macquarie allows you to draw on the strengths of this locality to provide a meaningful foundation in the lives of vulnerable people who live here.

How can I apply to become a foster carer with Wesley Mission in Port Macquarie?

You can start by booking an information session with us. Scroll below to the ‘Join an info session’ and fill out your details. During the information session, you will have the chance to ask any questions you may have.

The next step is for us to visit your home to discuss the application process in detail. Afterwards, you'll undergo full training on ways of supporting children or young people who have a history of trauma.

After the training, we will conduct an assessment interview with you, and if everything goes well, you will be paired with a child or young person to foster.

What types of assistance and resources are available for foster carers in my local area?

As a caregiver providing foster care in Port Macquarie, you are provided with:

comprehensive training to give you confidence in delivering care
24/7 phone support if you have questions or if there’s an emergency
regular contact and support from a case manager who will visit you at your home
a wide variety of medical and educational support services for the child
help with accessing student education opportunities, including scholarships
an allowance that helps cover the costs of caring for the child or young person you are looking after

What allowance can I receive to support the child’s needs?

When you become a foster carer, you receive an allowance that contributes to the costs of the child’s essential needs, including food, education and transport. If you are wondering about foster care payments in Port Macquarie, this is covered in more detail at the information session.

Where to next?

If you’re ready to take the next step, choose an option below to get started on your foster care journey.

Speak with one of our friendly and helpful foster care specialists today.

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