Becoming a Foster Carer

Mercy Foster Care is always interested in talking with individuals and families who want to know about becoming a Foster Carer.

People decide to foster for a variety of reasons, which include:

• Enjoying the company of children
• Having room in their home and hearts for another child
• Wanting to help another family
• To make a contribution to the community.

The qualities sought in Foster Carers are:

• The ability to be responsible and sympathetic when dealing with children
• Confidence and the ability to talk and listen to children
• The ability to work with a team, including social workers, teachers and other specialists to help the child
• An interest and willingness to learn more about caring for children, and
• An ability to encourage the child to visit their family and keep in touch
• An understanding that looking after children from another family is different to caring for your own children.

Who are Mercy Foster Carers?

• Ordinary people willing to share their lives
• Living in the Perth metropolitan area
• From a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds
• Single, couples, or families
• Committed to caring for children and providing them with a stable, supportive and nurturing home
• Not necessarily living in large houses or home owners, but need sufficient space to provide a bedroom for the child they foster
• People with or without children

Supporting our carers

Mercy Foster Care supports carers in the following ways:

• Consultation with a professional team
• 24/7 support service
• In depth training and information
• Financial support
• Respite care
• An individual support worker
• Supports them with education and practical assistance
• Helps determine the child's needs and make care plans

The assessment process to become Foster Carers

Stage 1 - Application form and screening process

• Prospective Foster Carers request a Foster Care Information Pack from MercyCare.
• Interested persons can attend an Information Evening - these are held regularly.
• The Application Form is completed.
• A social worker then contacts the applicants to arrange a time to meet them in their home and answer their questions.
• Applicants provide consent to conduct screening such as medical clearance, police and Department for Community Development record checks, and for two referees to be contacted.

Stage 2 - Assessment Process

• A comprehensive family assessment is made by making several visits to the family in their home.
• The social worker who makes the assessment collates all the required information. A recommendation is then made about the applicant's suitability to foster.
• The applicants attend a one hour Selection Panel interview. A final decision is then made by the Selection Panel.
• The assessment process takes about 3 to 4 months.

Training and learning

All applicants participate in preparation training with the Department of Community Development. Preparation training provides a learning environment for applicants to build on their skills and practice skills necessary for caring for foster children. This takes place over the equivalent of a 2 day period.

Mercy Foster Carers are expected to participate in ongoing training, which advances their skills in caring for foster children.

Information evenings

Information evenings are held every fortnight by the Department for Child Protection; Fostering Services. These informal sessions try to answer the queries of people interested in becoming foster carers, however are not specific to Mercy Family Services Foster Care Programme. If would like to choose Mercy Family Services as your fostering agency, please contact 9208 4457 to speak with us.

For session times and locations please visit
http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DCP/Resources/Foster+Care/Information_evenings.htm

or contact us (details below).

Contact Us

For more information on becoming a Mercy Foster Carer contact us by one of the methods below: