Foster carer support and resources
How to get support, financial allowance and assistance, printable resources and factsheets, and support contact list
Foster care: services and support contact list
General information
ChildStory Caring
The ChildStory Caring site has a helpful contact directory.
Aftercare
Barnardos Australia
02 9218 2300
1800 066 757
Burnside Aftercare Services
02 9768 6866
Care Leavers of Australia Network (CLAN)
Support group for people over age 25 who were in orphanages, children’s homes or foster care
1800 008 774
DCJ Careleaver’s Line
1800 994 686
CareleaversLine@facs.nsw.gov.au
Family Tracing Service
02 9211 0277
Familink International Social Services Australia (ISS)
02 9267 0300
1300 657 843
Family tracing, reunion support services, including mediation.
Link Up Family Services (NSW)
02 9837 2200
1800 624 332
For Aboriginal adults who were separated from their families as children through wardship, adoption, fostering or institutional care, as well as Aboriginal families who were separated from their children.
Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC)
1800 236 762
Wesley Dalmar Child and Family Care – Aftercare Services
02 9804 7255
Health emergencies
In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call 000 immediately.
Children’s Hospital Randwick
02 9382 1111
Children’s Hospital Westmead
02 9845 0000
NSW Poisons Information Centre
13 11 26
Support and counselling
There are many foster care support groups around NSW. These group activities provide invaluable opportunities for carers to talk to one another, swap advice and build support networks with other foster parents in the area.
Aboriginal Statewide Foster Carer Support Service
1800 888 698
Helps carers to provide quality, culturally appropriate care for kids.
Mission Australia Helpline
1300 886 999
CatholicCare Relationship Counselling
13 18 19
Relationships Australia
02 9418 8800
1300 364 277
Parenting
Childcare Access Hotline
1800 670 305
Karitane
02 9794 1852
1300 227 464
Parent Line NSW
1300 1300 52
Telephone counselling, information and referral service for parents, carers and professionals who have concerns about a child aged 0 to 18 years. 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday; 4pm to 9pm weekends; closed public holidays.
Tresillian
1300 272 736
Information and counselling for parents or carers of children under five years. Open 7am-11pm Mon-Sun.
Young people
CREATE Foundation
02 9267 0977
1800 655 105
Legal Aid Helpline
1800 101 810
For under 18s, 9am to midnight weekdays, 24 hours weekends
Twenty10 Association
02 8594 9555
1800 652 010
Gay and lesbian youth services, 24 hours
Youth Lifeline
13 11 14
Adult survivors of child sexual abuse in foster care
Sexual abuse is a terrible crime that affects people for a long time. You may have been abused in foster care many years ago, but could still be suffering the consequences. Find out how to get help and seek justice.