Support for Foster Carers
How we support you while you support them
24/7 Carer Support
Access specialist support from qualified professionals any time, day or night. Our dedicated team is always available to offer advice, assistance, and guidance, ensuring you never face challenges alone.
Training and Development
Receive ongoing training on essential topics such as caring for adolescents, managing stress, and understanding trauma. Our comprehensive training programs equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide the best care.
Financial Support
Get a tax-free allowance to cover daily expenses like food, clothing, and education for the children in your care. This financial support helps ensure that you can provide a stable and nurturing environment without financial strain.
Specialist Support
Our expert staff provide additional guidance and support tailored to the unique needs of each child. From behavioural specialists to educational consultants, we ensure you have access to all necessary resources.
Respite Care
Take a break with our respite care services, giving you time to rest while the children stay in a safe and supportive environment. This helps maintain your wellbeing and provides children with positive social experiences.
Carer Networking
Join regular events and online communities to connect with other carers, share experiences, and celebrate successes. Building a network of fellow carers can provide emotional support and practical advice.
Financial Support For Foster Carers
As a foster carer, you are provided with financial support to assist you in your caring duties. Foster carers receive a fortnightly allowance to meet the day-to-day expenses associated with caring for a child or young person. The amount you receive will depend on the number of children in your care, the level of their needs, and the type of care you provide.
You may also be eligible for financial assistance through the Australian government. To view the range of support available, visit the Department of Human Services website: www.humanservices.gov.au. OR speak to our team and we will be happy to provide insights on additional financial supports that are relevant to your circumstance.
Training For Foster Carers
To help prepare you for challenging behaviours, we provide ongoing training and 24-hour support. Your training will cover:
- Caring for adolescents
- Understanding sexualised behaviours
- Caring for a child or young person with autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD
- Identifying and managing stress
- Fostering healthy relationships with birth families
- Surviving allegations and investigations
- Understanding the impact of trauma on brain development and attachment
Once you become an authorised foster carer for Challenge Foster Care, you will become a part of our team dedicated to supporting the children and young people in your care. As part of the Challenge Community Services team, you will take part in planning and decision-making for the child or young person in your care.
Ongoing learning and development is considered a requirement of being a carer for Challenge Community Services. We provide continued support to allow you to complete two training sessions per year through the provision of flexible training options and casework support.
If you’re interested in learning more about the training and support we offer our foster carers, our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Training opportunities
We’re committed to supporting our foster carers. Using the platform ‘Tribal Habits’, training has been developed in-house, which means it can be regularly updated and new training can be developed and added in a timely manner based on carer’s feedback. We are proud to be able to provide this level of support to our carers.
Other training available
My Forever Family
Funded by the NSW Government, My Forever Family (MFF) provides in-person and online training across the state, including remote and regional areas. MFF hosts regular training events, support groups and workshops throughout the year, and their dedicated Carer Support Team is there to give you personalised advice and information via phone or email.
Foster Carer Events
Being able to share your experiences and questions with the people who’ll understand best – other carers – is a key to feeling fully supported. Challenge Community Services local offices organise regular catch-ups either in person or online to ensure you’re connected with other carers. These events can also include carer training as well as expert speakers.
We regularly request carer feedback on these events to ensure you’ll have a range of times and dates to choose from, so you won’t miss out.
