Types of Foster Care
As a Foster Carer, you don’t have to commit to full-time care from the start. Foster Care offers different ways to support children, allowing you to ease into it and find what works best for you and your family.
Short Break Care (SBC)
Previously called respite care, this is temporary care to give the primary carer a break or time to attend appointments.
- It can be as short as a few hours or up to a couple of weeks
- Some children have regular SBC, like every second weekend or during school holidays
Emergency Care
This is short-term care provided at short notice, often overnight or for a few days until a longer-term plan is made.
- When a child needs immediate safety and support
- Commonly arranged after-hours or on weekends, with next steps discussed on the following workday
Primary Care
This is a long-term placement where the child lives full-time with the foster carer. It can last from one year to several years, depending on the child’s care order.
- Short-Term Orders (up to 2 years) support reunification with the child’s parents
- Long-Term Orders last until the child turns 18. Note: A short-term order can be extended if parents are working towards reunification goals
Enquire About Caring for a Child
If you’d like to learn more about providing a child with a loving home where they can heal, grow, and remain connected to their identity, culture, and community, please contact our Foster & Kinship Care team on 1800 000 307 or email us
Support for Foster Carers
CQID walks alongside Foster Carers every step of the way, offering practical, emotional, and cultural support to help children thrive in their care. This support is delivered across key areas, including recruitment, training, placement, monitoring, and cultural connection.
Recruitment & Assessment
CQID identifies and assesses safe, culturally appropriate carers within the child’s family or community network.
Training & Ongoing Support
CQID provides initial and ongoing training tailored to help carers understand trauma, child development, attachment, cultural identity, and behaviour management.
Child Placement Matching
CQID coordinates placements by carefully considering the child’s needs, background, and the carer’s capacity and connection to the child.
Monitoring & Advocacy
CQID offers regular home visits, phone check-ins, 24/7 on-call support, and advocacy to ensure carers and children are well supported and heard.
Connection & Stability
CQID works with the Department and internal programs to support family time, cultural connections, and community involvement, while helping to create stable, nurturing homes that meet both cultural and legislative requirements.
