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Foster care Wollongong

Being a foster carer can be a deeply rewarding experience. It may involve supporting a child or young person through a crisis, providing a safe space temporarily, or offering a loving home long-term, possibly leading to permanent placement.

As a foster carer, you have the opportunity to positively impact young lives in your community.

Wesley Mission leads an important foster care program in the Wollongong region of NSW. If you live in the area, consider getting involved. The first step is a friendly conversation. Contact us on 1300 325 627 or register online for a Wesley Foster Care information session. We'll provide detailed insights to help you understand what it means to open your home and heart to a child or young person requiring care. This is your chance to ask questions and explore fostering in Wollongong, and how, through it, you can make a positive mark in your community.

Book an info session

Why choose Wesley Mission for foster care in Wollongong?

At Wesley Mission, we’ve been prioritising the interests of children and young people for over 130 years. Our longstanding dedication to caring fuels our commitment to matching children and young people with safe, stable, loving, and nurturing homes.

When you choose to foster with Wesley Dalmar Foster Care in Wollongong, rest assured that we’ll support you each step of the way, so that you, in turn, can support a young person with vital care.

So, if you live in the Wollongong area and genuinely want to care for children and young people, think about becoming a foster carer with us. With the strong support we provide, we are here to help you deliver a truly rewarding service for young people in your local community.

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Ongoing, timely support

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

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Diverse types of care

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

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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.

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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 the Central Coast, NSW, with us.

How we support our foster carers

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24/7 Support

On-call crisis support day or night, for all Sydney foster carers.

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Ongoing Training

Access foster care training and support.

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Case manager support

Monthly supportive visits from your case manager.

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Personalised care services

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

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Resources for education

Access to educational and scholarship opportunities.

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Financial support

Receive an allowance to help cover the costs of providing foster care in Sydney.

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Peer support

Connect with other foster carers in Sydney and broader NSW.

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A break when you need it

Access regular respite to support your wellbeing.

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Support from a chaplain

Receive emotional and spiritual support when you need it.

Types Of Foster Care You Can Provide In Wollongong

Becoming a foster carer in Wollongong offers you various ways to support vulnerable children and young people in your community, such as:

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Offer a secure place for a child or young person to stay during a crisis. This arrangement is typically made quickly and can last from one day up to four weeks.

Provide a child or young person with temporary accommodation until they can safely return to their birth family or find a permanent home. This period can range from four weeks to up to two years.

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Provide care for a child or young person who cannot live with their birth family and needs long-term support until they are able to be independent.

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Provide care for a child or young person who has high and complex needs, such as challenging behaviours, mental health conditions, disabilities, or has many siblings.

This is foster care you give as a relative, family friend, or someone the child or young person already knows and trusts. Kinship care might also open the door to becoming a legal guardian.

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To support your well-being and give you a break when needed, we offer regular respite care. The duration varies and can be for one day, two weeks, a weekend each month, or throughout the school holidays.

Can I become a foster carer in Wollongong?

No matter your background, you can become a foster care provider in Wollongong with Wesley Mission. You 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 must be: 

Over the age of 21
In good health
Willing to undertake training and participate in the assessment process
An Australian citizen or a permanent resident in Australia
Willing to undergo background checks.

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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

What area does Wesley Mission’s foster care program cover in Wollongong?

Our Wollongong Foster Care program spans from Stanwell Park in the north, Farmborough Heights in the west, and Albion Park in the south and includes such areas as Port Kembla.

How do I become a foster carer with Wesley Mission in Wollongong?

Start by booking an information session with us through the provided link. Afterwards, we will visit your home to discuss the application process. You would then complete our training, which covers strategies for supporting children or young people who have experienced trauma. An assessment interview will be conducted, and if you pass, you will be matched with a child or young person to become their foster carer.

How long does it take to become a foster carer?

It may take up to 12 months for you to become an authorised foster carer. After that, depending on the type of care you select, it could take from a few days to several months to be matched with a child or young person.

Why is foster care needed in Wollongong?

Foster care is needed for various reasons, including serious parental illness or incapacity to care, as well as short-term or long-term family problems that threaten the physical and psychological safety of children or young people.

Is there a high demand for foster care in Wollongong?

There is a high demand for foster care in Wollongong, which is experiencing a critical shortage of carers. There are many children and young people in Wollongong who need a safe and stable home.

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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