03 5277 0044 admin@wathaurong.org.au

It takes a community to raise a child

It takes a community to raise a child and a network of many to support the social, economic and cultural development of our people.
The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative is proud to support the foster care of Aboriginal children, and we need your support! It could involve simply an overnight stay, for a month or for even longer, a little bit goes a long way in providing a safe, nurturing home to child or young person in need!
To find out more about our foster program please click here.

Choosing Foster Care

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is care provided by people in their own homes for children and young people who cannot live with their families. Where it is in their best interest, children and young people are reunited back with their birth family as soon as possible.

Why become a Foster Carer?

All around Victoria, people of all walks of life, background, age and experience open their hearts and homes to children and young people who are unable to live with their family. Experience the cultural, social and developmental journey of a child and give them the chance to thrive in a safe, caring and loving environment. Our children come from various cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, don’t miss your chance to experience the strengthening and maintaining their cultural identity and connection of a child to the Wathaurong community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Children can be placed into foster care for a number of reasons. It may be a result of a court order, or through a voluntary arrangement between the child or young person's parent and a service provider.
Our team work with participating families for both short and long-term periods, assisting with placement and establishment (short-term arrangement where the placement is supported until the child can be reunified) as well as kinship (a long term arrangement where both children and their carers are case contracted to Wathaurong and are on a non-reunification plan). Foster Care can be as short term as an overnight stay or a long term stay, depending on the needs of the carer and the child.
Our foster care programs work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). All our carers are assessed and approved by Child Protection Services, with financial support available to applicants in certain circumstances. Carers are also required to apply for a Working With Children’s check.
Our dedicated team of wonderful staff are always close by to help you with any of your questions or queries. We will assist you to maintain the child’s connection to the Wathaurong community, as well as helping out with some practical day-to-day needs. Our Kinship workers regularly visit carers at home, organise access visits, arrange parent education and encourage/support children’s access to community and cultural events. We are only a phone call away.

The Process

Click here for further information on the process involved in our Foster Care program.

Our Training

Click here for further information on the training program involved in our Foster Care Program.

Contact Us

If you'd like further information, leave your details below and we will be in touch