Berry Street Web Docs Foster Care Info Pack | Page 6

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Caring for an adolescent requires a
carer to possess a number of special
qualities; commitment, endurance,
tolerance and resilience.
”
How do I become a foster carer? Types of foster care
The importance of caring for children who
have suffered trauma and abuse is reflected in
Berry Street’s thorough assessment process of
potential foster carers. This process of training
and assessment can take up to six months. Berry Street provides foster care for children in a
range of ways. Children, aged between 0-17 years,
are placed into care in either a voluntary capacity,
such as planned respite care, or a statutory
capacity, for example when the Victorian Child
Protection Service are involved.
The process of becoming a foster carer starts
with an information session. Potential carers then
submit a formal application form and are invited
to attend a training course. During or after this
initial training, potential carers undergo screening
checks (including a police check, working with
children check, medical review and referee
checks) and are interviewed by Berry Street’s
staff. These interviews are in your home at times
suitable to you. Berry Street staff meet with
everyone in the family, including any children. This
is vital given caring ultimately has an impact on
the whole family unit.
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Key types of foster care are:
• Respite care (recurrent planned care, for
example one weekend per month);
• Temporary emergency care (overnight up to 6
weeks);
• Transitional short term care (a child is placed
on a court order and still requires a placement
for up to two years);
• Long term care (reunification is no longer
considered and placement is required for
more than two years).
It is a delight to see and watch an infant grow and feel
secure ­— an infant who has had a difficult beginning
and for whatever the reason, has come into care.
”