Australian Foster Carers Support Network

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What is

What is foster care???

There are a few different types of foster care. As a carer you can choose which type of care best suits you and your family.

Emergency care

Emergency care usually means that the child will be with you for a short time only. The child may arrive at any time of the day or night and you most likely will have very little warning that the child is on their way!

Emergency care usually lasts between one day and three weeks although may extend for longer if the care giver is happy to keep going.

Short term care

Short term care usually lasts between three weeks and three months. Children may return home after this time, they may go on to long term care arrangement or they may stay with their current care provider for a while longer.

Long term care

Typically, long term care means care from three months to two years or anywhere in between! After this time children may move on to a permanent care family or may stay in long term care until a permanent care family is found.