Althea Foster and Kinship Program
The application process to become a foster carer in Queensland with Althea Foster and Kinship Program is detailed below.
The process from submission of application to approval is usually between 3-6 months depending on each person’s circumstances.
The first step is to register your interest by calling us on (07) 4779 3332 or emailing . We will then provide you with some basic information and arrange to do a home visit so we can meet face-to-face.
At the home you have an opportunity to ask any questions. We will also seek more information from you and complete a Household Safety Study.
Foster carers must complete mandatory Quality Care training provided by the Department of Child Safety, that is delivered by our staff. This training is mandatory for general carers. It helps you to understand the foster care system, the types of experiences children in care have, how a child we be matched to you, the placement process itself, and who you will be working with if you go on to become an approved foster carer.
This involves the following:
In completing these forms, you are providing your consent to undergo child protection, domestic violence, and criminal history checks. Again, these are a mandatory requirement for becoming a Foster (or Kinship) Carer.
Assessment involves an assessor meeting with you in your home and interviewing you (your partner if applying with another person) and all household members, including age dependent children.
It is the assessor’s responsibility to form an overall assessment of your suitability and record that on the assessment report. The assessor can only recommend that you be approved or not approved as a carer.
The assessment is then lodged with the Department of Child Safety who will review the assessment and all other accompanying documents. A Child Safety manager makes the approval decision.
If approved, you will be issued an Initial Certificate of Approval. If not approved, you will receive a letter stating the reason for the decision and your review rights.
AFKP provides training through an induction process and then ongoing to assist you and your family with the challenges, rewards and other matters faced by carers.
This will assist you as a carer to feel confident that you have the skills required to care and protect children from harm.
Kinship Carers are identified by Child Safety Services. Althea Foster and Kinship Program will only receive kinship applicant referrals from the department.
Kinship Carers do not have to undertake any mandatory training; however, they do have to complete all the same paperwork, undertake all the same background checks, and participate in the assessment process.
For further information about foster or kinship care, or to register your interest please contact one of our team members by phone or email.
Althea Foster and Kinship Program is a program of Althea Projects Incorporated and is funded by the Department of Child Safety.
