Do you want to become a foster carer?
One third of children in care are Aboriginal, but there are not enough Aboriginal carers to support them. AbSec is committed to ensuring these children remain connected to community and culture to keep their identity strong and alive.
We need your support! If you are interested in becoming a carer, please contact AbSec or an Aboriginal foster care agency listed below. Our website also contains a range of information about our Statewide foster care support service.
- Taree/Manning region - Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre (65 51 2088)
- Macleay & Nambucca Valleys - Burrun Dalai Out of Home Care & Family Support Service (65 62 1913)
- Newcastle - Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services(40 16 8040)
- Lismore - Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Child and Family Network (66 62 8044)
- Nowra - South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (44 28 6666)
- Narrandera - Miyagan Aboriginal Development Association ( 69 599 088)
- Coffs Harbour, AbCare - Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre ( 66 483 683)
- Tamworth - Kamilaroi Development Initiatives Aboriginal Corporation (KDIAC) ( 67 663 468)
- Illawarra - Myimbarr/ Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation(IAC) ( 42 281 585)
If there is not an agency in your area please contact us on 1800 888 698 to discuss other options.
Could I become a foster carer?
Anyone who is over the age of 18 years, is an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, in good physical and emotional health can apply to become a foster carer.
You can be:
- single, married or in a de facto or same-sex relationship
- renting, buying or own your home
- working or not working
- from any culture and with a diverse range of life experience
- a parent or have a strong interest in helping children and young people.
While there is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ carer, people interested in becoming carers will need some of the following qualities:
Flexiblity and adaptability: be able to learn new things, experience new situations and be prepared to have days that don’t always turn out as you had planned.
Tolerance and patience: be able to take things one day at a time, and work towards goals while appreciating it may take a long time to get there.
Perseverance: be able to ‘hang in there’ and appreciate that things often do take a while to change.
Understanding: be able to put yourself in ‘someone else’s shoes’ and appreciate how a child is feeling or understand the reasons for their behaviour.