How to Become a Foster Carer with Online Study

Do you have a big heart and a desire to make a difference in a child's life? Becoming a foster carer might be the right path for you. While fostering requires approval from local authorities and comprehensive training, an online course in parenting and childcare can provide valuable insights and help you prepare for this important role. Let's explore the journey to becoming a foster carer and how online courses can help you get started.

What Does a Foster Carer Do?

A foster carer provides a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children who cannot live with their biological families. This role involves supporting the child's emotional, physical, and social needs while working closely with child welfare agencies, schools, and healthcare providers.

Steps to Becoming a Foster Carer

1. Research and Understand the Role

Before you decide to become a foster carer, it's crucial to understand what the role entails. This includes the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards. Read up on foster care, attend information sessions, and speak with current foster carers.

2. Complete an Application

Once you decide to move forward, you'll need to complete an application with your local child welfare agency or fostering organisation. This process usually involves background checks, health checks, and a home assessment.

3. Participate in Training

All prospective foster carers must complete mandatory training. This training covers essential topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management. Online courses in parenting and child care can supplement this training, providing additional skills and knowledge.

4. Home Study and Assessment

A social worker will visit your home to assess its suitability for fostering. They will also interview you and your family to ensure you're ready for the responsibilities of fostering.

5. Approval and Matching

After the assessment, your application will be reviewed, and if approved, you'll be matched with a child who needs care. The matching process considers your skills, preferences, and the child's needs.

6. Ongoing Support and Training

Once you start fostering, ongoing support and training will be provided. This helps you handle any challenges that arise and ensures you can provide the best possible care for the child.

Foster Carer Skills

To be a successful foster carer, you’ll need a blend of soft skills (skills you innately have) and hard skills (practical skills you’d learn in a parenting course).

Soft Skills

Empathy
Patience
Creativity
Strong communication
Adaptability

Practical Skills You’d Learn in an Online Course

Child Development: Understanding the stages of child development and how to support each stage effectively.
Trauma-Informed Care: Techniques for caring for children who have experienced trauma.
Behaviour Management: Strategies for managing challenging behaviours and promoting positive behaviour.
Health and Safety: Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the child.
Support Networks: Building and utilising a support network for additional help and advice.

How Much Do You Earn as a Foster Carer? (2024)

In Australia, foster carers don’t receive a wage or salary. Rather, they receive reimbursements for the expenses of fostering a child. This allowance varies based on the child's needs, your location, and the fostering agency, typically ranging from $400 to $1,000 per fortnight.

Foster Carer Outlook

The need for foster carers in Australia remains high, with many children requiring safe and supportive homes. This demand ensures that foster carers play a crucial role in the community, providing stability and care for vulnerable children.

How to Become a Foster Carer

If you're considering a career as a foster carer in Australia, formal study is not essential, but undertaking relevant online courses in parenting & relationships can help.

Online Courses: Online Courses Australia offers comprehensive courses in parenting and child care. These courses cover essential topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management, providing you with the skills needed for fostering.
Micro-Credentials: Micro-credentials are a great way to enhance specific childcare These bite-sized courses focus on targeted aspects of looking after children, allowing you to deepen your knowledge in areas like healthy eating for kids, or developing effective relationships with children.
Obtain a WWC: A Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) is a continuous assessment to determine if an individual poses a risk to children, incorporating a police background check. Anyone intending to work in child-related industries must hold a valid WWCC. In Queensland, this is referred to as a “Blue Card”. To obtain your WWCC, apply through your state or territory government’s website.

Start Your Fostering Journey Today

Ready to make a meaningful impact in a child's life? Enrol in a parenting and child care course with Online Courses Australia. Gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to become a successful foster carer.

Develop Practical Skills

Our courses cover key areas such as child development, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management to help you be the best foster carer you can be.

Flexible Learning Options

Study at your own pace, fitting your education around your current commitments. Learn from anywhere, anytime.

Make a Difference

Begin your journey to becoming a foster carer today. Join Online Courses Australia and start making a positive impact on the lives of children in need.

Raising Children Course Info Pack Download