Foster and Kinship Care
Programs
Foster and Kinship Care
Our current campaign, the Thank You Project, is all about acknowledging people who’ve changed the lives of others, through foster care.
Foster care can be life-changing for carers, their family and friends, support workers, the children they care for and their biological families.
What is Foster and Kinship Care?
Foster and kinship care is providing a safe, secure and supportive home for children and young people who are unable to live with their birth parent/s.
- Foster carers are people in the community
- Kinship carers are members of a child’s family or community who assume the responsibility of caring for the child
Within our foster and kinship care program, we support hundreds of carers across south-east Queensland. Our carers provide safe and loving home environments for some of the most vulnerable children in the state, covering everything from emergency care and respite care to long-term care.
“I’m inspired by the warmth, care and generosity that people in foster care demonstrate,” says Hux Horua, a member of Mercy Community’s Foster and Kinship Care Leadership Team.
You won’t be doing it alone…
We are dedicated to providing genuine support to our foster and kinship carers, including:
- Ongoing information and training
- Regular visits from dedicated foster care workers
- After hours on-call support
- Carer support groups
How can you make a difference for a child?
At Mercy Community, we understand that long-term foster caring isn’t for everyone. We also know that every child requires different levels of care.
We offer a variety of care types to ensure the best fit for every carer and every child
- Respite Care
- Emergency Care
- Short-term Care
- Long-term Care
You can help nurture and support a child, even if your time is limited by other commitments. Contact us today to find out more about what type of foster care is the best fit for you and your family.
Who can foster?
Over 18 years of age?
If you’re an adult, you’re able to become a foster carer and enrich the life of a child. You might suit some or all types of foster care, depending on your age.
Single, married or living with a partner?
Your marital status, sexuality, gender, race or religion has no bearing on your eligibility to become a carer.
Working or staying at home?
It doesn’t matter if you have a full-time or part-time job, or if you’re unemployed, there’s a type of foster care to suit your commitments.
Citizen or permanent resident?
Citizens and residents are eligible, but even if you’re neither, you can still be considered.
Blue cards and exemption cards?
It is a legal requirement that all foster and kinship carers and their adult household members (18+) hold a blue card or exemption card.
If you’re ready to learn more about becoming a foster carer, download our Foster & Kinship Care Information Pack
Interested in becoming a carer?
Take the eligibility quiz
Take our quiz to find out if you’re eligible to become a foster carer, and to learn more about what’s involved.
OR
Make an enquiry
Find your local office below.
Contact a Foster and Kinship Care team near you today!
Foster and Kinship Care program partners
Our foster and kinship care programs are funded by the Queensland Govenrment Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.
