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Foster care in NSW and ACT
Make a child's life extraordinary. Become a Barnardos foster carer and change a child's life.
What is foster care?
Foster care is when a child who is unable to live safely at home with their parents, is cared for by another family or person, typically due to issues within the child’s birth family such as abuse, neglect, family violence, mental illness or parental substance abuse.
Barnardos is a child and family support organisation that provides foster care services across NSW and ACT.
We are always looking for new foster carers to provide care for children and young people of all ages, from babies through to teenagers.
Interested in open adoption? That journey starts with you becoming a foster carer.
Find out more about open adoption.
Enquire about becoming a
foster carer
Questions you might have about foster care?
Why is there a need for foster care in NSW and ACT?
More than 45,000 children in Australia are unable to live safely with their birth families due to various reasons such as abuse, neglect, family violence, mental illness or parental substance abuse. These children need to be cared for in a safe and nurturing environment until they are able to be reunited with their families or until a permanent family is found for them.
Can I become a foster carer?
To be eligible to be a foster carer with Barnardos Australia you must be at least 25 years of age and in good health. You can be married or single, with or without children, and we welcome carers from all backgrounds, including those from different ethnicities, cultures, religions, genders, and sexual orientation. You will need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and be willing to undergo background checks.
You might be just who we are looking for to change a child’s world.
At Barnardos Australia, we welcome individuals and families from diverse backgrounds who have a genuine passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children. If you’re considering opening your heart and home to a child in need, here are some of the requirements for becoming a foster carer in NSW:
- Age and residency: You must be at least 25 years old and a permanent resident or citizen of Australia to become a foster carer (with exceptions made for Kinship carers). There is no upper age limit at Barnardos.
- Relationship status: You can be single, married, or in a defacto relationship (heterosexual or same sex relationship).
- Culture and religion: We welcome carers from all cultural and religious backgrounds.
- Safe and stable environment: Foster carers need to provide a safe and stable living environment for children. This includes having appropriate sleeping arrangements, a clean and comfortable home, and access to basic amenities.
- Health and well-being: Your physical and mental health plays a crucial role in providing effective care. As part of the assessment process, you’ll need to undergo a medical examination and provide relevant health and immunisation records.
- Smoking status: In accordance with health advice Barnardos seeks to mitigate the impact of second-hand smoke on children in care and therefore does not allow foster carers to be smokers (some exceptions made for Kinship carers).
- Capacity for parenting: Foster carers should have a child-focused approach and be flexible to meet the needs of children and young people. You should have a willingness to approach a child’s culture with humility, respect and curiosity and an ability to build strong relationships and connections with a child or young person, their family, and the agency and other professionals.
- Criminal history check: As part of the application process, you’ll be required to undergo a thorough criminal history check to ensure the safety of children in care.
- Working with Children check: All foster carers must hold a valid Working with Children Check clearance, which helps ensure the safety and well-being of the children placed in your care.
- Training and support: Foster carers are expected to participate in training and development programs to enhance their skills and knowledge in caring for children who have experienced trauma or challenging circumstances. Barnardos provides comprehensive training opportunities and ongoing support to help you navigate the foster care journey.
If you meet these criteria and have a genuine desire to make a positive impact in the lives of children, we encourage you to consider becoming a foster carer with Barnardos. Together, we can provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in need, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Take the first step today and apply to become a foster carer with Barnardos Australia. Your support can change a child’s life forever.
Foster care myths
Click on the myth cards below to learn the facts.
Myth
I can’t foster because I work
Fact
If you work part-time or full-time you will still suit some types of foster care. However, with the majority of our placements there is a period at the beginning when you need to be available at home full-time while the child/ren settle in.
Myth
I can’t foster because I’m single
Fact
We have plenty of single foster carers caring for children.
Myth
I can’t foster because I’m too old
Fact
We have carers of all ages. As long as you are in good health and can keep up with children, you are welcome.
Myth
I can’t foster because I don’t own my own home
Fact
You don't need to own your home to be a foster carer. The important thing is that your living arrangements are secure and your home is safe and welcoming to children.
"It's a very rewarding experience, and once this little person comes into your life you will never look back" - Dan
Meet Rory and Dan - Respite carers
Video captions
We wanted to start a family nearly eight or nine years ago in the early days when we knew we wanted to be parents but we weren’t sure how how capable we were necessarily. Respite just seemed to be such a great option for us because it gave a little bit of a taste of parenting without 24/7 commitment.
Once we were approved for respite foster care we were eventually placed with – he was 12 at the time – a young man called Ben and he was going to stay with us for one weekend a month for a period of minimum two-year commitment. It was the first respite foster care placement and over a course of about four years.
In addition to Ben we looked after another three other young people, it was that one weekend a month or two weekends a month as it turned out to be a commitment. We got to test our abilities as parents and how we work together. As respite foster carers we’re there to basically give their main foster carers a break for the weekend and allow that young person a bit of fun time, I guess a bit of a change of scenery.
We got married in 2018 and Ben ended up being part of our wedding party. We felt like he was part of our family for a very long time and we wanted him to be a part of that.
It’s a very rewarding sort of experience and yeah once this little person comes into your lives you just will never look back.
What types of care can you provide?
Short-term foster care
Short-term foster care is when a child is placed with a carer for a temporary period of time, anywhere from two weeks to two years, usually until the child can be safely reunited with their birth family or a permanent family is found for them.
Short-term foster care is important as it provides stability and security for a child during a time of upheaval or crisis in their life. Short-term foster care can be a stepping stone to a permanent placement, or it can be the child’s only form of foster care if they are able to return safely to their birth family.
Long-term (permanent) foster care
Long-term or permanent foster care is when a child is placed with a carer on a long-term basis until the child turns 18 years old or is ready to move on to independent living. This type of care is required when the Children's Court rule it is not safe for a child to return to their birth family.
In some cases, long-term or permanent foster care can also lead to open adoption, which offer a child stability and belonging for life.
Respite foster care
Respite foster care is when a child is placed with a carer for a short period of time, usually one weekend a month or during school holidays, to give their regular foster carer a break. Respite care can also be used to provide additional support to a family who is struggling to cope with a child with complex needs.
Respite foster care is important as it provides a child in out-of-home care with additional positive relationships and experiences. It also allows the child’s regular foster carers some time off, which can be crucial in giving carers a chance to focus on their own wellbeing. Respite care can be either planned or emergency, and can be for a few hours, a weekend, or a longer period of time.
What are the benefits of becoming a foster carer?
Making a positive difference in a child's life
Gaining new skills and experiences
Access to foster care payments
Undergo foster care training
