Welcome to the Foster Care Association NSW Website
Over the past 10 years, the number of children and young people in Out of Home Care (OOHC) in NSW has almost doubled (by 96% since 2001). Most of this growth has occurred in the past 5 years. (CS Quarterly Report September 2011)
After an enquiry in 2008 into OOHC by Justice Wood, the State Government is now in the process of implementing recommendations and has decided to transfer all children in Family and Community Services (FaCS previously known as DOCs) to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). It has renegotiated and standardized all contracts for OOHC with NGOs. This transition has commenced and is expected to be completed by 2018.
For a number of years, Foster Carers in NSW had no organization to represent them. Earlier this year this association was founded by a group of volunteer carers and set up Foster Carer Forums, a secure online environment for foster carers to access vital information and come together to share advice, links and stories.
The Association offers its members support and information and keeps them up to date with regard to changes in the foster care system in NSW. We are currently working closely with department heads in charge of policy implementation in FaCS to ensure that this transition will result in minimal impact and disruption to carers and the children in their care.
Our Mission
- To provide the opportunity for carers to come together, support one another, air their views and where necessary, through unity, campaign for improvements in the system.
- To establish a working partnership and liaise with NGOs and FaCS and advocate on behalf of carers and their children to achieve the best outcomes especially during the transition phase.
- To unite ALL carers in NSW into a powerful collective voice. To bring to the attention of the community the excellent work that carers do under very trying conditions for very little compensation and to offer support, advocacy and training.
- To promote awareness of foster caring and assist the public to understand the role and agency recruitment process.
Our Vision
To provide information, support and advocacy to carers that ensures they continue to receive the best support from their NGOs, allowing each child in care to achieve their full potential.
Latest News
Transferring to a Non-Government OOHC Agency – Information for Carers
The CAT tool used by the department to assess children and suppporting documentation has now been posted on the Forum.