How to apply to be a permanent care parent
Who can apply?
Permanent care parents come from a variety of backgrounds. You can apply whether you're single, married or unmarried, with or without children of your own. Whether you have the potential to meet the needs of children needing a permanent care family is much more important than your personal circumstances. You do not have to be 'special' to do this.
In most cases the child would be placed as the youngest member in your family. Generally there'll be two years between the placed child and the next oldest. Couples who have undertaken fertility treatment need to have completed it at least six months before starting the application process.
Helpful attributes for a permanent parent include good health, a sense of humour, patience, the ability to see things through and supportive family and friends. It is also important to have the ability to ask for help when you need it and to work with professionals.
If you feel you have these qualities, and you want to help transform a child's life, the next step is to come to an: information session
Information sessions
Coming to an information session will help you decide if permanent care is right for you and your family.
To attend a permanent care information session please email adoption and permanent care including your phone number, and a Permanent Care team member will contact you.
An information session must be completed before you proceed with the next step: attending training sessions.
Training sessions
Training sessions are run throughout the year and will help you understand the many aspects of permanent care, including the needs and behaviour of the children. They'll help prepare you for the challenges ahead, as well as the rewards.
Click here to view the dates and times of the current Permanent Care Training Schedule. Please note that the dates and times are subject to change so you'd need to check these with your program.
Once you've completed the training sessions, you'll complete a detailed application, which involves police, medical checks, a working-with-children check and other documentation. References will be required. If you're in de facto relationship, documentary evidence will also be required.
Assessment
The permanent care team will work with you to identify what you're able to offer a child and the type of child that would benefit from becoming part of your family. You have a say in what sort of child would most suit your family.
A written report is then prepared. You will have an opportunity to comment on it before it is submitted to a committee who will consider your application.
Approved applicants will then become available to have a child placed with them. This may take some time. Linking involves matching your family and your wishes to the particular needs of a child. So you may be linked with a child very quickly or you could wait for a while. If you?re not linked to a child after two years, your approval will be reviewed.
Once the child is placed there is a period of support and supervision before the final permanent care order is made. This usually takes about two years.
Support
Permanent care staff will have ongoing contact with you to offer as much support as possible until the placement is finalised by the permanent care order.
Your permanent care worker will work with you to help the child settle in, and be available to discuss difficulties that may arise, and link you with appropriate community support services in your area. In the early stages contact could be at least weekly. As you adjust and bond with the child, the contact becomes less frequent.
After the permanent care order has been made, the permanent care team will still be there to help. Families may need support for months, even years, particularly at times of transition, such as when the child starts school or reaches adolescence and the Permanent Care team will always be available to assist.