Types of foster care

While you will have day-to-day responsibility for the young person in your care, the agency holds the legal responsibility.

Each young person has a designated case manager who ensures all aspects of their care are met.

Absolutely! Fostering siblings can be more complex, so we often recommend starting with one young person if you’re new to foster care.

However, experienced Foster Carers or couples may find fostering siblings a great fit. For relatives or kinship carers with larger sibling groups, Burdekin offers additional support.

It’s all about finding the right match to ensure the best outcomes for both the young people and the Foster Carers.

Fostering a young person is different to caring for your own child in several ways. Often, these young people maintain contact with their biological families, which is an important part of their care.

There are also legal guidelines to consider, as children in foster care are recognised as vulnerable due to past trauma. This means certain actions, like physical discipline or yelling, are not allowed. Instead, we encourage a Therapeutic Parenting approach, which focuses on understanding and addressing their unique needs.

Don’t worry; Burdekin will provide you with training and support to help you navigate this process. Additionally, a case manager will create an annual case plan to outline the young person’s progress toward independence, supported by their Foster Carer and team.

We don’t provide rented homes for Respite Carers since this role is part-time and usually takes place in your own home.

While we can’t offer permanent housing, we do provide a carer allowance to support you.

Not quite! When providing foster care for a young person, it is essential to use a Therapeutic Parenting style. This approach focuses on healing and building a nurturing, structured relationship, unlike traditional methods that rely on rewards and punishments.

Burdekin emphasises the importance of this style and provides specific training and ongoing support to help you meet the needs of the young person in your care.

Yes, having a glass of wine with dinner is generally fine, as long as it’s done responsibly. The key is to maintain a safe environment, which means avoiding excessive drinking and ensuring alcohol is stored securely.

If a young person has a history of being triggered by alcohol, Burdekin may ask you to refrain from drinking around them. This will be considered during the matching process based on the young person's needs.

Yes, children and young people aged 8 to 17 years at Burdekin need their own room to ensure they have privacy and their belongings are respected.

The only exceptions are if they are sharing with siblings or if the placement is with a relative or kinship.

Yes, you can teach a learner driver once they have their learner licence! Just make sure the car is comprehensively insured, and let the case manager know.

Burdekin also offers resources like paid driving lessons and Safe Driving Courses to support this process.

We prioritise the emotional well-being of our young people, so we encourage you to avoid taking time off during important times like Christmas and Easter. Sometimes, a friend or relative can step in as a respite carer. If they’re willing, we can assess them to care for the young person.

Additionally, Burdekin has youth work staff who can cover shifts while you’re away. We’ll discuss the best options for respite during your assessment to ensure the young person remains in a stable environment.

Yes, as a Burdekin Foster Carer, you are a mandatory reporter. If you suspect that a child or young person under 16 has been harmed or is likely to be harmed, you must report it to the NSW Child Protection Helpline.

You should also inform Burdekin through the supporting staff or by calling the on call number after hours. Don’t worry; we will support you through the reporting process.

We are committed to child safety.

In certain circumstances, you can adopt or seek guardianship for the child you are caring for. While Burdekin doesn’t specialise in adoption or guardianship, since we mainly focus on tweens and teenagers, it is still a possibility.

If you wish to adopt your foster child, we would recruit a specialist to support you in this way.

Foster kids need stability, understanding, and a sense of belonging. Many have experienced trauma, loss and instability, so it’s essential to create a safe environment where they feel secure and valued.

Consistent routines, clear boundaries, and supportive relationships help them build trust and resilience. Emotional support is also vital, as they may struggle with feelings of abandonment or anger. When you are patient, listen and understand, you can help them process their emotions in a healthy way.

Also when you support them in their education, hobbies, and developing life skills you help them build self-esteem and work towards their goals. Ultimately, what foster kids need most is a loving, nurturing environment where they can heal and thrive.

At Burdekin, all of our Foster Carers are volunteers and do not receive a salary.

However, we do provide financial support through a foster carer allowance and rental support to help with the needs of the young person.

Yes! While Foster Carers at Burdekin receive a fortnightly carer allowance and rental support, you will need to show that you can financially support yourself while providing care.

Having a job or career makes you a great role model for young people. However your employment, business or career must give you the flexibility you need to be present outside of school hours.

If you need to travel often or work long hours every day, we may offer you alternative options to fostering full-time.

Yes! Before placing a young person with a Foster Carer, we conduct a home inspection to ensure the environment is clean, safe, and welcoming. The home must have a spare room for age-appropriate privacy and secure storage for the young person's belongings.

We will check for working smoke alarms, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher/blanket, and pool safety compliance if applicable. All medications and alcohol should also be stored securely.

We may assist you to make adjustments to your home to ensure it is suitable for a young person to live with you. Or help you find a suitable home if your current home is not ideal.

Yes, Burdekin encourages you to create a warm, inclusive environment for the young person in your care. You can have friends and family over, as long as you ensure the home remains safe. If a visitor will be a regular guest, they will need to obtain a Working with Children’s Check.

If you plan to host a large party with alcohol, it’s best to discuss it with your case manager first. Just let the case manager know about any non-regular visitors staying over or if you and the young person are going away for the weekend.

Burdekin is here to support you!

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to go to the hospital, contact your carer support or case manager during office hours, or call the on-call number outside of those hours.

We will arrange for alternative care for your young person, so you can focus on getting better. We've got your back!

At Burdekin we specialise in fostering children and young people aged 8-17.

If you are considering fostering a child in NSW, get in contact and we can talk through any questions you have.