Apply to be a Carer

Specialist Foster Carer Information Pack

Who we are:

Alternate Care is a local Cairns based incorporated entity that has been operating in the Far Northern Zone of Queensland with Child Safety Services, Department of Communities and supporting community organisations for over five years.

Our organisation’s commitment is in Far North Queensland and has the support of the broader community who value the lives of ‘children and young people at risk’ and who are prepared to engage with government and communities of the Far North so as to ensure better opportunities for those who are most vulnerable. Alternate Care has readily demonstrated this commitment as observed in its frontline involvement in assistance to children/young people and their families which was provided immediately after Cyclone Yasi, Larry and Monica and preparation for evacuations associated with the Solomon Island Tsunami alert.

What we do:

Our Vision is to: ’measurably improve the lives of Children/young people who are at most risk in Queensland’s Far North’.

Our Mission is to: ‘to ensure that Children/young people in Queensland’s Far North who have complex and extremely challenging needs will have greater opportunity to access services that are more flexible and responsive towards establishing their safety, enhancing their potential development, and ensuring a positive identification with ‘self’ and subsequent wellbeing.’

Alternate Care’s commitment to its ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ has become evident over the previous years by its fulfilment of five (5) key strategic objectives in the Far North. These being:

The provision of a range of new and improved services for children/young people with complex and extremely challenging needs that include, flexible models of support tailored to meet the individual needs of children and young people, specialised intensive support residentials, and an innovative choice of grant funded hybrid models that involve a blend of classical Foster Care and 24 hour Youth Worker support.
Establishment of new services closer to the families of children/young people at risk who live in smaller communities including Atherton, Cooktown, Weipa and the Cape.
Engagement and formation of strategic alliances with recognised and respected practitioners in the behavioural sciences and with established tertiary institutions, who have provided guidance and direction in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Alternate Care’s new services.
Development of a work culture that is underpinned by the values of empowerment, honesty, integrity and a passion for continued improvement and quality assurance in all our frontline support service personnel. Personnel, whose positive relationships and mentoring of children/young people at risk have reflected better outcomes and performance indicators for all children/young people in our care.
A commitment to customer satisfaction that focuses both on children/young people receiving services and the funding bodies who finance those services.

Why we do it:

As a community stakeholder, whose focus is on those who a most vulnerable, Alternate Care actively engages with children/young people at risk and their families. Feedback and observations from this group have been discussed with community leaders, Child Safety Services, Department of Communities personnel, professional Carers, and members of other community agencies within Cairns, Innisfail, Atherton, Cooktown, Weipa and smaller Cape York and Torres Strait communities.

Observations and discussions by our organisation regarding children/young people at risk in Far North Queensland indicate that there still exists a growing requirement for specialised support for children/young people with complex needs and extremely challenging behaviours. An observation that was substantiated in the 2004 Crime and Misconduct Commission’s (CMC) Public Inquiry into ‘the abuse of children/young people in Foster Care’.

Three subsequent statistical performance reports issued from Child Safety Services, Department of Communities and the Child Guardian 2006 report indicate that there have been major accomplishments due to the reform however there are still ‘gaps in the delivery of services to children/young people and young people who have complex and challenging need’s (Child Guardian 2006 Report). Gaps recognised by Child Safety Services, Department of Communities and readily being acted upon.

In closing these ‘gaps’, the strong partnership growing between Alternate Care and Child Safety Services, Department of Communities’ Far North Zone and associated Child Safety Service Centres is highly valued by our organisation. Our representation and active participation is evident in our involvement with Child Safety in the development and implementation of new services and evaluation of existing service delivery. In addition, we are an active participant in the department’s strategic planning, focus groups, child placement panels, family reconciliation meetings and specialised planning and discussion groups.

Those who are responsible:

Alternate Care recognises the importance of carefully screened, trained and experienced frontline Workers and Carers and actively encourages further education and a commitment to lifelong learning.

All personnel are checked in accordance with Child Safety Services, Department of Communities’ procedures and have been issued with ‘Blue Cards’ in accordance with the Commission for Children/young people and Young People and Child Guardian. Our workers embrace our core values of empowerment, honesty, integrity and a passion for continued improvement and quality assurance.

How do I apply to be a Foster Carer

If after reading the Alternate Care Information Pack you wish to apply to be a Foster Carer, you need to notify the Manager – Specialist Foster Care Program on 07 4031 0460.

An independent assessor will then contact you to assist you with filling in an application form and to conduct a full Foster Carer Assessment. This assessment includes; medical and health information; personal history; household safety study; criminal history check; blue card application; and general suitability to become a Foster Carer. The assessment will include information about yourself, your partner and any other household members.

Part of the approval process requires compulsory attendance to the Quality Care Foster Carer training. This consists of a pre-service training, standards training and advanced training. The pre-service training must be completed prior to the initial Foster Carer approval.

Do I need a Blue Card:

All approved Foster Carers must hold a valid Blue Card at all times. Part of the application for a Foster Carer blue card requires the completion of a Blue Card Validation form, which must be provided to Child Safety Services, Department of Communities.

Please note that your blue card is valid for a 2 year period, and must be kept up to date at all times. Also anyone who is 18 years or older that lives in a Carers home must also have a valid blue card.

Who approves me to be a Foster Carer:

The assessment that is conducted is provided to Alternate Care for recommendation. If Alternate Care decides to proceed with the assessment, it is provided to Child Safety Services, Department of Communities who process the application, criminal history checks and blue card application, and give the final approval.

What types of Foster Carers are there:

Alternate Care Foster Carers are ‘Specialised Foster Carers’ as they work with children/young people with complex and extremely challenging behaviours. To undertake this sort of work they are provided with intensive training, mentoring and a higher level of support from Alternate Care.

How long does my approval last:

The initial Foster Carer approval is for 12 months only. During this time the compulsory Quality Care Standards Training must be completed, by the Foster Carer/s.

Prior to the expiry of your initial Foster Carer approval date, the assessor will contact you to conduct a compulsory 12-month review assessment. This assessment is forwarded to Alternate Care for recommendation and from Alternate Care to Child Safety Services, Department of Communities for approval.

Your approval will then be re-assessed every 2 years from this date.

Changes to Circumstances:

If your circumstances change during your approval period, you must notify Alternate Care as soon as possible. These changes include; change of household members, change of address, relationship breakdown. Child Safety Services, Department of Communities requires all changes in circumstances to be re-assessed by a psychologist to inform the approval process.

Reimbursement of Expenses:

Alternate Care specialist Foster Carers receive a weekly reimbursement for expenses relating to child/young person in care with complex support needs. Out of this reimbursement Foster Carers are expected to pay for the child/young person including but not exclusive to; school and educational expenses, school excursions; health, dental and medical expenses; public transport expenses, including bus fares; clothing and uniforms; pocket money; food and personal items.

Reporting/Feedback Processes:

Foster Carers are required to submit incident reports for behaviours/incidents that are out of the ordinary. In addition, Foster Carers are required to record all medication given to the young person on the Medication Sheets provided to them. These sheets need to be provided to Alternate Care on a regular basis.

Foster Carers are also provided with a Complaints Report and Feedback Form where issues may be recorded and communicated to Alternate Care. Foster Carers are encouraged to use these forms and relay any issues, concerns or complaints that they have to Alternate Care on a regular basis.

Will I receive support as a Foster Carer?

Alternate Care will provide ongoing support to Foster Carers with a child/young person in their care. Foster Carers will receive regular contact and visits from Alternate Care to assist and support them in issues that will arise while they are providing support to a child/young person.