Are you ready to make a positive difference in a child's life?

We are seeking foster carers across Sydney who can provide safe and nurturing homes for children and young people who cannot live with their own family right now. Often children will return home once it is safe for them to do so. Some children will need carers to provide them with a permanent home. No matter how long a child stays with you, as a foster carer you’ll make a positive difference in their life in a way that stays with them forever.

Register your interest in becoming a Foster Carer

Please complete this form if you meet the criteria above and would like to find out more. We will send you an information pack or get in touch to have a chat about what's involved in becoming a foster carer.

Personal Details

First Name* - required

Last Name* - required

Email* - required

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Criteria

Foster carers at The Benevolent Society need to meet some minimum requirements. Your responses will not affect your ability to find out more information from our team.

Please confirm them below:

I am over 25 years of age

I have a spare bedroom in my household

I live in Sydney

I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident

I am willing to undergo a background check

I am in good general health

Additional Criteria

We want to ensure that there is a good fit between prospective foster parents and the child. The following questions will help guide us in making a strong match.

I have the time and resources to meet the child's current and future needs

I am open to fostering a child with complex needs

You consent to us retaining the information you provide on this form* - required

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Please note that this is a volunteer position

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Types of foster care

Foster carers come from all walks of life: single, married, same-sex relationship, renting or buying a home and from many cultural backgrounds. There are different types of foster care options available to suit different situations. These include;

Immediate or crisis care: This ranges from a few nights to a few months, until a child can return home or an alternative placement has been identified. Short notice is usually required.
Short to medium-term care: This ranges from a few months up to two years. There is a strong focus on reuniting the child with their birth parents or extended family, within the two year period.
Long-term care: This care is more permanent and is needed if a child cannot return to their family home, until they turn 18 and enter adulthood.
Respite and part time care: Where foster carers look after children for short periods of time so that their full-time carers can take a break from their caring roles.

Why should you become a foster carer with The Benevolent Society?

Children are at the centre of our service and it is our priority to keep them safe. Our team are dedicated to ensure that the experience for both the carer and child, is as pleasant as possible. We offer ongoing and coordinated support services to best meet the needs of children and their carers at all times.

Our professional, qualified staff provide evidence based training for carers so they feel supported in the work they are doing.

We also provide carers with regular visits from a Case Manager, 24/7 on call support, a tax-free allowance to assist with the costs of raising a child and ongoing training opportunities.

Who can be a foster carer?

The most important thing we look for in carers is a desire to help children and young people develop and reach their full potential.

We welcome foster carers from all backgrounds and cultures that meet this criteria:

Be over age 25
Have a spare bedroom
Live in Sydney
If you have your own children they need to be at least 3 years old
Have the time and willingness to commit to the assessment process and provide care for the child/children
Be of good general health and be willing to undergo a health check with your GP
Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
Have the finances to meet a child’s current and future needs
Willing to undergo background checks
Willingness to support relationships with children and their families

Process Diagram to become a foster carer

Steps to become a foster carer

There are various steps in the process of becoming an authorised foster carer. The exact amount of time it takes varies from case to case as each situation is unique but generally, this takes around six months.

Our committed and passionate staff are here to answer any questions you may have and to support and guide you every step of the way.