Foster care is the backbone of the Victorian response to protective intervention for children and young people at risk. Foster carers are the volunteers providing a home, family life, and care to children and young people who are unable to live with their birth family for a variety of reasons. Many of these children have suffered traumatic events and the role of our foster carers is critical and complex in providing a safe and healing environment for children and young people to reach their full potential.
The Foster Care Association is here to provide information, support and advocacy to all Victorian foster families. Our work directly impacts the care provided to the thousands of Victorian children and young people in foster care by providing:
o Carer Advocates - free, independent advice and support to foster carers through one-to-one support to carers and strong relationships with agencies, ACCOs and key stakeholders to work collaboratively to assist foster carers.
o Carer Assistance Program - free, confidential short-term counselling to foster carers, permanent carers and adoptive parents.
o Learning & Development - free forums and carer events, for information exchange, connection and wellbeing support for carers.
Advocacy - Advocating on behalf of foster carers to government, their agencies, in the sector and the community.
Community building - as the only centralised body for all foster carers in the state;
Promotion the carer voice - through member forums, research and engagement.
Carer news and information - through our comprehensive website, social media pages & regular newsletters.
The Foster Care Association represents all foster carers across Victoria. In tandem with one-to-one support we provide to individual foster carers, our role as a membership Association is to advocate for vital improvements to the foster care system. Our current member database consists of over 4,000 carers and the wider sector and community.
The Foster Care Association is mandated to strengthen Victoria’s investment in greater recognition, respect and resources for foster carers, the volunteers who every day and night make a difference in the lives of Victoria’s children and young people.
Carer Support Team - confidential and independent referral and assistance service (03) 9416 4292 or admin@fcav.org.au
Carer Assistance Program - provides therapeutic counselling aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of carers
Empowering carers to provide culturally safe care, informed by ACCO’s approach that encompasses expertise in the care of Aboriginal children
Monthly newsletters and social media full of information and opportunities
Opportunities, tickets, goods, giveaways and scholarships for carer households
Championing system improvements at legislation & policy level through government working groups and the media
Carer research and advocacy
Carer learning and development forums, training, webinars and events
North Division
Phone: 1800 319 507
Email: NorthCareSupportHelpdesk@dffh.vic.gov.au
South Division
Phone: 1800 319 503
Email: SouthCareSupportHelpdesk@dffh.vic.gov.au
East Division
Phone: 1800 931 757
Email: EastCareSupportHelpdesk@dffh.vic.gov.au
West Division
Phone: 1800 319 510
Email: WestCareSupportHelpdesk@dffh.vic.gov.au
Medicare numbers
Birth certificates / birth registrations
Vaccination certificates
Care allowance and other financial supports
Case planning
Making decisions regarding children in care
Will call you to place a child or young person into your care
Accreditation training
Placement support including training and development
Ongoing placement planning
Support for you and your family
Coordinates care team meetings
Cultural support planning
