Becoming a foster carer is a big decision for you and your family. It’s a very important role which is why there are several steps to follow.
It can take up to six months from your initial foster care enquiry to when you are authorised to care for a child or young person. The length of time it takes to become a foster carer depends on several things. Our team will guide you through what comes next at a pace that feels comfortable.
The steps to becoming a foster carer
Is foster care right for you?
Making a real difference to the lives of children is incredibly rewarding. But there are lots of things to consider before you start.
First, gather information from the website, read the information for prospective carers sheet (PDF 2.14MB), or attend an online carer information session to hear from an existing foster carer.
If you want to have a friendly, obligation-free conversation with a member of our team about foster care, you can call us on 1300 770 240. Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm or email us on fosteringwithdcj@dcj.nsw.gov.au.
If you are ready to progress, submit an online enquiry form.
A member of our team will call you within two working days to:
- Provide you with more information
- Answer your questions
- Explore what foster care involves, and the different care types
- Talk about your circumstances to help you decide if foster care is right for you
Submit your application
If you are ready, we’ll help you complete the application form.
Once you have signed and submitted your application form, and provided your consent, the foster care team will complete background checks you and your co-residents.
A co-resident is a person who stays overnight on your property for 21 nights or more in a year and includes granny flats, caravans, or other dwellings on the same property.
Background checks
Our foster care team will offer clear guidance and practical help while we work through the background checks that are required to progress your application.
| Background Check | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Working with Children Check (WWCC) | Working with Children Checks are required for anyone who works with children or volunteers in child-related work in NSW. If you do not already have a WWCC, carers and all co-residents aged 18 and over will need to obtain one. |
| Police Check and National Criminal Record Check (NCRC) | We will apply for a police check and national criminal record check you and all co-residents who are aged 16 years and over. Having a criminal history does not automatically prevent you from becoming a foster carer. The nature of the offence will be considered as part of the assessment. |
| Health Check and Medical Check | You will be asked to complete a health check to tell us about any health issues which could affect your ability to be a foster carer and how they are being managed. A medical check is completed by your doctor to identify any support you may need. |
| Identification Check | We need three (3) forms of identification to confirm your identity and the identify of any co-residents who are aged 16 years and over. Copies of ID must either be certified by an approved certifier (such as a Justice of the Peace) or confirmed to be a true copy of the original by a caseworker. |
| Community Services Check | This includes a review and assessment of DCJ’s child protection records of each applicant and all co-residents aged 16 years and over, to inform the carer assessment. |
| Interstate Check (if relevant) | We will check interstate child protection records if you have lived interstate and/or in New Zealand. |
| Previous foster care check (if relevant) | If you have been a carer with another foster care agency, we will contact the agency for relevant information. |
*This step can take up to three months.
Training
You will be invited to complete Shared Lives Training.
Shared Lives Training is mandatory training for all prospective carers. It is practical, trauma-informed training to prepare you for what children in care may have been through, and how best to support them.
The training covers topics such as:
- The reasons children and young people come into care
- Bonding and attachment
- Understanding trauma, grief and loss and its impact on children and their behaviour
- Why culture and connections with families is so important for children in care
- The roles and responsibilities of carers, caseworkers and families, and the importance of working as part of a team
Shared Lives Foster Care training takes place over four three-hour sessions (12 hours in total) and is run at a minimum of monthly by the foster care team. It is run in small groups, online, and in the evenings via MS Teams. Saturday sessions are also available on occasions. Some geographical areas also have options to attend the training in-person.
Assessment
A carer assessment is where we will get to know you and your family to understand how fostering will fit into your life.
You will work with a qualified assessor through several home visits and thoughtful interviews focused on your routines, experiences and strengths. We prioritise a transparent and considerate process so you feel confident, prepared, and fully guided throughout.
We will also speak with two of your nominated referees and two people within your support network, as well as your children. This includes your adult children who may no longer reside with you.
A home inspection check is completed to make sure your home is safe. We can work with you to address any areas of concern.
At this step, you will also complete a further four hours of Shared Lives (Part two) Training. This is usually delivered one-on-one.
Authorisation
Once completed, you will be provided an opportunity to review the carer assessment report.
We will also ask you to read and sign the Code of Conduct (PDF 233.75KB) for Authorised Carers.
We will register your authorisation with the Office of the Children's Guardian and you will receive your letter of authorisation and a welcome pack.