Every child deserves to grow up in a home where they are loved, encouraged and supported. However, sometimes children are at risk of significant harm from abuse and neglect within their family home. Placements provide a safe living arrangement for these children, either temporarily or long term. Placements offered to children from birth to age 18 include foster care, residential care and permanent care. There is a range of information available for caregivers, relatives, potential clients and funded community service organisations.

External Websites:

Looking After Children (LAC)

A joint initiative of the 43 community service organizations across Victoria who deliver out of home care services for children and young people and the Department of Human Services.

FACTSweb

Provides data on placement and support services for vulnerable children in Victoria.

What services are available?

Home Based Care

Provided to children unable to live at home due to risk of abuse and neglect. Children are placed with appropriate caregivers in their homes via a community service organisation.

Residential Care

Units are set up to take in a number of children and adolescents who are unable to live at home due to risk of abuse or neglect. Community service organisations and the Department of Human Services manage these units, which provide varying levels of supervision and support to children and young people, depending on their needs.

Permanent Care

Provides a permanent living arrangement for children and adolescents who can no longer live at home with their family.

Support services

For families aim to prevent children being placed in out-of-home care. Other support services, such as Family Preservation and Family Reunification, are available to children/adolescents in out-of-home care placements, to assist them to adjust to their new living arrangement, maintain their education, undertake counselling, or to assist them in their return home.

Family Preservation and Family Reunification support services target families where one or more children will be removed from the home unless the family resolves specific issues, or where children or young people are returning home after an out-of-home care placement.

Who can use these services?

These services are mainly targeted at children and adolescents involved in the Child Protection System, although a small percentage of clients are voluntary.

What does it cost?

There are no fees to clients of out-of-home care and support services. Community service organisations are funded by the Department of Human Services to provide these services.

Who provides foster care and other placements?

Placements are provided by community service organisations, and funded by the Department of Human Services. Private citizens provide foster care. They are assessed and supervised by community service organisations. They receive reimbursement for the costs of providing care. The Department of Human Services fund both the community service organisation costs and the caregiver costs. Community service organisations manage residential services in which they employ experienced and qualified staff to provide day to day care of children and young people.

How are foster carers recruited?

Foster carers are recruited by community service organisations to provide care to children and adolescents who are unable to live at home due to risk of abuse or neglect. Carers receive intensive training and support from the organisation. Further information can be obtained from Victorian Foster Care Recruitment Project.

What is the role of the Child Protection System?

The Child Protection System is responsible for investigating alleged child abuse and neglect, and determining the most appropriate care or support solution for the child. This may include placing the child in out-of-home care.

Who do I contact for help or more information?

Contact - Victorian Foster Care Recruitment Project, Foster Care Association of Victoria, Children's Welfare of Victoria.

Additional information:

See also: Child Protection