Foster with Purpose

Change a child's life - and yours! Become a foster carer with Parkerville.

Girl happy with foster parents

 

Being a foster carer is about more than just providing a roof over a child’s head—it’s about offering hope, healing, and unconditional love. You don’t have to be perfect to foster, just willing to make a difference. We’ll provide the training, resources, and support you need. Open your heart and your home by becoming a foster carer with Parkerville.

Why foster with us?

  • Comprehensive training: Learn the skills to care for children who need you most.
  • Ongoing support: You’re never alone—our team is here 24/7.
  • Financial assistance: We ensure you have the resources to provide the best care.

"We've been Foster Carers at Parkerville CYC for 9 years. Through love, consistency, and maintaining family and cultural connections, we believe these children can grow into empowered young adults. Parkerville gives us the support, resources and tools to help us and our children achieve this."

Join our Foster Care Family!

Foster Carers at Parkerville provide a long term, loving and supportive environment for children and young people within their own homes. The family setting provides a stable long-term placement for the child until they are ready to leave care, at the age of 18 years. Our carers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and cultures, and provide love and support for those in their care.

Why Parkerville?

Parkerville Children and Youth Care provide radically personalised care to children and young people impacted by sexual assault, child abuse, homicide, homelessness, and other adverse childhood experiences. Our responsive trauma informed care is delivered through our essential service streams and programs, reducing the long-term impacts of the significant trauma the people we serve experience and instead providing an opportunity for each child and young person to feel safe to dream, thrive, and reach their fullest potential.

  • Dedicated Team: At Parkerville, we are a small team dedicated to meeting your needs and those of the young person in your care. Oursmaller caseload allows us to tailor our approach to each child’s unique needs, providing you with in-depth ongoing support.
  • Team Leader Support: Upon joining Parkerville, you’ll have a dedicated team leader as your main point of contact. They’ll guide you, staying updated on compliances, checks, and any support you need. Our team leaders prioritise one-on-one contact with the young person every 4-6 weeks, ensuring their voice is heard and offering a space for concerns or suggestions.
  • Advocacy Behind the Scenes: We work tirelessly behind the scenes to advocate for young people in collaboration with the Department ofChild Protection, ensuring that you can focus on providing care without unnecessary burdens.

We've got your back.

Being a foster carer is a journey filled with rewards and challenges. But at Parkerville Children and Youth Care, you're never alone. We're your partners, providing the support, guidance, and training needed to offer trauma-informed care tailored to each child's experiences and needs.Here are just some of the ways that our team supports you along your Foster Care journey:

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Your well-being matters. Our EAP provides free, confidential support, counselling, and resources to help you navigate the challenges that may arise in your caregiving journey.
  • Supervision: Regular ongoing supervision is provided by our team leaders, offering support through face-to-face meetings, virtual sessions, or phone calls, accommodating your preferences and needs.
  • After-Hours On-Call System: Our commitment to support doesn’t end with office hours. We provide an after-hours on-call system, managed by our Out of Home Care team. This ensures you have assistance and guidance whenever you need it, even on weekends. Safety and care plans are centrally accessible, ensuring a seamless support process.
  • Comprehensive Training: As a foster care worker with Parkerville, you’ll have access to extensive training programs designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide the best care possible. Our training covers trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and various aspects of child development.

Start your Foster Care Journey today...

Are you ready to become a hero in a child's life?
 

If you are ready to become a foster carer with us, complete our enquiry form and we will be in touch shortly to discuss your application. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at foster.care@parkerville.org.au. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way!