What is Foster Care?
Foster care provides a safe and supportive home for children and young people who cannot live with their families for a period of time.
Children entering care often feel confused, uncertain and distressed about being separated from their families. Adjusting to a foster family can take time, particularly when past experiences have affected their trust in adults.
With patience, understanding and guidance, foster carers help children and young people feel safe, build positive relationships and develop confidence for the future.
Who Needs Foster Care?
Understanding the children, young people and adolescents that come into care
Children and young people may need foster care due to abuse, neglect, family violence, parental illness, or drug and alcohol misuse within the home.
These experiences can impact their wellbeing, education, confidence and sense of safety. Many feel isolated and vulnerable, particularly when separated from their families.
Children in care range from newborns to 18-year-olds and come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Some may be part of sibling groups or have additional support needs. Foster carers receive support to care for children with a wide range of experiences and needs.
Supporting Teenagers in Care
The Needs of Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of significant change, growth and increasing independence. Many teenagers who enter care have experienced family conflict, instability or a lack of support, leaving them feeling disconnected and uncertain about their future.
Some young people may respond with challenging behaviours or struggle with relationships, trust and decision-making. They can also be more vulnerable to risk-taking behaviours and exploitation.
Supportive carers play a vital role in helping adolescents feel valued, develop life skills and build a positive future, providing the stability and guidance they need during an important stage of life.
Foster Care and Kinship Care
What's the Difference?
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Kinship care is when a child lives with a relative or someone from their community they already know and trust.
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Foster care is when a child lives with an approved carer who is not part of their existing family or community.
Wherever possible, children are supported to maintain existing family and community relationships, and siblings are kept together where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Simone Robinson
Quality Manager
Connection to Culture Matters
IFYS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have a fundamental right to grow up connected to family, community, Country and culture.
Cultural connection is not an optional extra. It is an essential part of a child's wellbeing, identity and sense of belonging.
