We support better outcomes for kids in care by ensuring foster and kinship carers

carers are supported and knowledgeable about their legal rights, and those of the children in their care. 

We connect carers with legal professionals who provide advice or legal aid.

Why we exist

Children and young people in out of home care are widely recognised as some of the most vulnerable and ‘at-risk’ individuals in our community. A growing body of longitudinal research points to the generally poor outcomes for young people who have exited the out of home care, across multiple life domains (Anglicare. 2015 ‘Understanding differences in the outcomes of children and young people across care types’).

It is the first National Standard of Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) that children and young people will be provided with stability and security during their time in care.

Having a stable living arrangement helps children to maintain their relationships with friends and service providers and remain engaged with school and community activities. In contrast, continued instability is associated with poor educational, employment, social and psychological outcomes, as well as behavioural and emotional problems. Experiencing multiple placements can also affect a young person’s capacity to develop and maintain relationships (https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/children-care).

Carers are the backbone of the OOHC system. Caring for children and young people in foster care provides many challenges, along with the rewards. 

The need for our charity Foster Kids and Carers United was identified through the work of our sister charity, A Better Life For Foster Kids, which receives between 4-6 calls per day from carers seeking specialist advice on interactions with government departments and agencies, particularly in relation to children being moved to another home without consulting the carer or child. A large proportion of these carers do not have the financial means to access legal advice or aid. 

Foster Kids and Carers United aims to support stable environments for kids by facilitating access to free or low cost independent legal advice for foster children and their carers in relation to their interactions with government departments and agencies to help ensure that all placements and care decisions related to a child in foster care are in the best interests of the child.