Our Kids, Our Future - It’s Our Responsibility
*Register your interest to become a carer in the form at the bottom of this page*
The positive, the challenging, and the potentially life changing experience of fostering a child with VACCA
It is VACCA’s aim to have children placed in the care of their extended family or with members of their Aboriginal community. Where it is in their best interest, children and young people are reunited with their families as soon as possible.
Foster care at VACCA is a way of providing culturally safe homes for children who cannot live with their birth families.
We are seeking carers who believe that they can make a positive difference in the life of a child or young person.
We’ll provide you with extensive training, 24-hour caseworker support, a fortnightly allowance to cover day-to-day expenses and activities for the children and young people you care for.
Foster care at VACCA is about:
Providing Aboriginal children and young people with a positive and nurturing family life experience that will support their cultural, social and emotional development
- Providing a culturally safe home for children who cannot live with their birth families
- Recognising and maintaining the child’s Aboriginal identity and their place in the Aboriginal community
- Maintaining the child or young persons’ connections with their families and communities.
Who can become a foster carer?
Anyone over the age of 21 in good physical and emotional health can apply to become a foster carer.
Diverse People and families make great Carers!
When it comes to Foster Care, it is not a one size fits all approach. Our diverse pool of foster carers reflects the diversity within the Aboriginal community, and we encourage carers from different backgrounds, experiences and family types.
We are seeking carers who are open to a journey that is both difficult and rewarding; carers who believe that they can make a positive difference in a child’s life.
Our Carers are:
- Single, married, de facto or same-sex relationship
- Renting or own their own home
- Working fulltime, part time or stay at home
- From a diverse range of cultures with a diverse range of life experience
- Dedicated to maintaining and supporting children’s connection with their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander family, community and culture
- Committed to meeting the needs of the children and young people they care for
- Committed to attending ongoing therapeutic, cultural awareness and other training
What foster care options are available?
Emergency care – emergency care provides a secure, safe setting for a child or sibling group very soon after being removed due to care and protection concerns. Referrals are received 24 hours a day and placements may be made after hours
Respite care – Weekend or brief-stay respite offers regular, ongoing support to a child in a current placement, usually one weekend a month, or may be required for Aboriginal community members needing additional support or medical assistance.
Short term care – Short term placements are for children who are waiting a Children’s Court decision on their long term future, or who are to be returned to the care of their parent/s.
Long term care – Long term placements are for children placed in care under a final order until 18 years, sometimes with a view to permanent care.
"I have been a Foster Carer for VACCA for 8 years. During that time, I have had 39 children come into our care both respite and long term. The role as a foster carer at VACCA has at times been incredibly challenging but the rewards have been well worth it. As an Aboriginal carer it has been a privilege to have children come into my care who have been in mainstream placements with limited knowledge of their cultural heritage. My family and I have been able provide all children with knowledge, education and cultural experiences that has provided them with a strong connection to their history and culture. I can proudly state that all children that leave our home know they are Aboriginal and they feel proud and strong of their Aboriginality. I love seeing the difference in a child from when they arrive to when they leave.
- Val Scarratt, carer at VACCA"
Learn more
If you can make a positive difference in a child’s life by providing them with a safe, nurturing and culturally sensitive environment, please don't hesitate to contact us:
- Download or view our Foster Care information booklet
- Check our Facebook events page for any upcoming free no-obligation training
- Email: foster@vacca.org
- Phone: (03) 9287 8800 (9:00am - 5:00pm)
Express interest
Foster Care is a rewarding experience that provides children and young people unable to live with their family with a nurturing, safe and secure place to stay.
If you can do this, please fill in our foster carer expression of interest form and we will contact you soon.