Permanent care gives vulnerable children a stable environment in which to grow up. However, more than this, it gives them relationships for life, which are permanent, secure and nurturing.

It legally comes about when a permanent care order is made by the Children’s Court, granting custody and guardianship to the permanent family. Legally this means that as a permanent care parent you’ll be responsible for day-to-day care of the child and also long term decisions about things like education, changes in residence, health and employment.

Care when they need it most

A permanent care placement may be offered to children between the ages of 0 and 12 years old who are unable to return home to their families. Children placed in permanent care often have additional needs due to their separation from their birth family. This may be of an emotional, physical or intellectual nature, or may be due to delayed development. They may come from disrupted backgrounds from multiple placements resulting in a significant trauma history.

We welcome carers from all walks of life

Permanent carers are individuals who help to make a positive difference to children’s lives, enabling growth and developing their potential despite their difficult start in life.

Any couples who have lived together for over two years and single applicants can also apply to become permanent carers and we welcome applications from people of all genders and sexualities.

It is important for carers to have a love and enjoyment of children and some experience in caring for them, as well as good health, lots of energy, a sense of humour and patience.

Support for permanent carers

Anglicare Victoria will provide placement support in the way of advice, referral to specialist services as well as financial support. Post legal support is available to permanent care families after a permanent care order is made. Financial support is available through caregiver reimbursements that are provided by the DHHS.

Process to becoming a permanent carer

People considering the permanent care of a child must attend an information session, complete the necessary paperwork which includes police and medical checks and attend a training course facilitated by a permanent care service.

Applicants are then assessed as to their suitability for the role of Permanent Carer. Following accreditation, families may be ‘linked’ with a child in need of a permanent home. There are no guarantees of placement via permanent care, decisions about linking children with families are made based on the individual needs of the child/children being placed, and the capabilities of the family to meet these needs.


Enquiries

For more information on the permanent care application process, please contact the following

Yarraville Office | 03 9396 7400

Bendigo Office | 03 5440 1100

Morwell Office | 03 5135 9555

For those outside these areas, find your nearest permanent care service here.


FAQs

  • A permanent care placement may be offered to children between the ages of 0 and 12 years old who are unable to return home to their families.

    Children placed in permanent care often have special needs due to their separation from their birth family. Some children may have additional needs. This may be of an emotional, physical or intellectual nature, or may be due to delayed development. They may come from disrupted backgrounds from multiple placements resulting in a significant trauma history. They may belong to a sibling group who needs to be placed together, or they may have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

  • A permanent care arrangement is different from adoption in a legal sense. The legal responsibility for the child remains with the Department of Health and Human Services after the placement of a child, until custody and guardianship is transferred to a permanent carer. This generally takes place 12 months after a placement is made. Children placed on Permanent Care orders have been removed by Child Protection from their families of origin and cannot return home; they need permanent homes and families to grow up in.

    Adoption changes the legal status of the child, changing the birth certificate to reflect the child as having been born to adoptive parents. At 18 years, adopted children can apply for their original birth certificate. Adoption refers to the voluntary relinquishment of a child by their parents.

    Contact between the child and their birth family is an integral part of a permanent care arrangement.

  • Same sex or heterosexual couples who have lived together for over two years and single applicants can apply to become permanent carers.Permanent carers are individuals who help to make a positive difference to children’s lives, enabling growth and developing their potential despite their difficult start in life.

    It is important for carers to have a love and enjoyment of children and some experience in caring for them, as well as good health, lots of energy, a sense of humour and patience.

    Families and individuals who have welcomed children into their families on a permanent basis have this to say about their experience:

    “Our child is really special – she has so much love to give and we love her very much.”

  • Contact between the child and their birth family is an integral part of a permanent care arrangement, as it enables children to develop or continue relationships that are important to them.

    In order for children to forge a more positive future, it’s important for children to know about their origins. This is an important part of their identity development. Many children remember living with their birth family and this contact reassures them of their interest, concern and continuing existence.

    For parents whose children are placed outside the family on a permanent basis, it can be a significant loss and they may experience grief that could last a lifetime. Therefore having contact with, or information about their child is very important to them.

  • Persons considering the permanent care of a child must attend an information session, complete the necessary paperwork which includes police and medical checks and attend a two day training course at an adoption and permanent care service.

    The assessment process takes approximately three to four months and the entire process from enquiry to accreditation can take up to twelve months. However, there are no guarantees of a placement. A child will be placed with the best available family chosen by a panel from a non-identified list of three parent profiles.

    Anglicare Victoria will provide placement support in the way of advice, referral to specialist services and financial support.

  • Anglicare Victoria will provide placement support in the way of advice, referral to specialist services as well as financial support.

    Post legal support is available to permanent care families after a permanent care order is made. Financial support is available through caregiver reimbursements that are provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Victoria. Flexible funding packages are also available to existing permanent care placements through Permanent Care and Adoptive Families Victoria – your permanent care service can provide information to you about this.

  • There are four steps to becoming a permanent carer:

    • Register your interest by contacting one of the following Anglicare Victoria offices:
      • Bairnsdale
      • Bendigo
      • Leongatha
      • Morwell
      • Warragul
      • Yarraville
    • Attend the Education Group
    • Participate in the assessment
    • Become accredited

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