One of the great misconceptions about foster care is that it’s always a long-term commitment and that foster children need years of support and care from their foster families.
While this is true in some situations, there’s also a huge need for short-term foster placements, too.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, but a long-term placement isn’t feasible for you, then Anglicare Victoria encourages you to consider short-term foster parenthood.
In this post, the team at Anglicare Victoria explains short-term foster parenting, its benefits, and how you can become a short-term foster carer.
Types of short-term foster care
There are three main types of short-term foster care: crisis/emergency care, short-term care and respite care. Let’s take a look at all three types so you can think about which type of short-term fostering would be most suitable for you:
- Crisis or emergency care
Emergency care provides short-term assistance at short notice when children are first separated from their birth families. This type of care generally ranges from a couple of nights to a couple of weeks.
- Short-term care
While the Children’s Court decides the long-term plan for a child, they need somewhere safe to stay. This is where short-term care is needed, which can range from a matter of months to a couple of years, while the child’s family work to address the protective concerns so that they can return home.
- Respite care
Respite care involves time-limited placements in which carers look after children intermittently – for example, one weekend a month or for short periods over the school holidays. Respite carers often care for the same child on a regular basis for a minimum of twelve months.
Which type of short-term foster parenting is required the most?
All three types of short-term foster carers are constantly required in Victoria. No matter which type is most suited to your circumstances, your help will be greatly needed and appreciated.
How to become a short-term foster carer:
The very first step to becoming a short-term foster carer is to get in touch with Anglicare Victoria. Our team would be delighted to help you submit an enquiry and invite you to a free information session. The next steps to becoming a short-term foster carer include:
- Completing paperwork and background checks such as a Police Check, Working with Children Check and a health check.
- Completing 16 hours of mandatory foster care training.
- Interviews with you and your other household members.
- Home assessment to ensure your home meets the criteria for looking after children.
- Review from an accreditation panel, with yearly accreditation reviews thereafter.
- Approval and first placement. For more information on how to become a foster carer, click here.
Benefits of short-term foster care
Some of the benefits of short-term foster parenting include:
- Flexible way of giving back to the community
Short-term forms of foster care are just as important as long-term ones. Not only is short-term foster care a more flexible solution to giving back to the community, but it’s a vital part of helping vulnerable children. From emergency care to respite care, you’re using the limited availability you have to provide a safe environment for children who need it the most. Whether you have the capacity to care for a child for two months or just one weekend per month, every minute of your time contributes to a better outcome for vulnerable kids.
- Seeing the results
In some instances, short-term foster care allows you to see positive results faster than long-term foster care. Some children, for example, may just need a short time in a safe, stable environment while their birth families resolve issues. It’s rewarding to know that you were there for that child in their time of need.
Contact your local agency today
If you’ve decided on helping the community in the biggest way possible, Anglicare Victoria can help you start the journey of foster care. Our mission is to empower and support children who’ve had a tough start to life by giving them safe, loving foster homes all over Victoria. If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer, contact our Carer Recruitment Team and enquire about applying today.
