Make a difference as a Foster Carer
Right now, we're looking for everyday heroes to step up and foster tamariki in need of safe, stable homes.
At Family Works, you won’t do this alone. We offer full training, practical resources, and ongoing wrap-around support, every step of the way. You’ll also receive a generous, non-taxable allowance, and all expenses for the child or young person will be covered.
If you're ready to make a real difference in a young life, and be part of a team that’s got your back, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch today to find out how fostering could work for you:
📧 FC@familyworkssld.nz
📞 03 211 8226
Foster Care
Family Works provides foster care for children and young people (0-18 years) for a planned period when parents/caregivers or extended family members are not able to look after them.
Children and young people may need to be cared for away from their home for many reasons, but in all cases, there are issues relating to their care and protection, such as family stress, family crisis, family illness, parenting issues, violence, lack of family supports and resources.
Foster care can be provided in various ways: in emergencies, for regular respite, for a short period of time or for a longer period.
Family Works has a contract with Oranga Tamariki (OT) to provide care for children and young people who are with OT. OT remains involved with these children, young people and their families.
Family Works also provides community foster care for children and young people in Southland. In these cases, foster care is always part of a plan to assist families to improve their lives.
Are you interested in becoming a foster parent?
- Foster parents are everyday members of the community with a strong commitment to helping others, especially children and young people.
- Patience, understanding and a willingness to accept someone else's child into the family are essential qualities for fostering.
- Fostering is challenging and demanding so it is important foster parents are not experiencing significant personal or family problems.
- Our service needs a variety of foster parents where there are a range of personal qualities and living situations to suit the varying needs of children and young people in care.
- Foster parents may be single, de facto/married, with or without children.
- We need people who relate well to children and who have the commitment and ability to meet children's needs.
- Acceptance as a foster parent at the end of initial training depends on the outcome of various checks, a home visit and interview.
What support is there for the foster family?
As a foster parent, you join our qualified team who will support you
When children are placed in foster care, Family Works:
- Provides ongoing support by qualified staff. This includes a dedicated Family Works team member allocated to the placement. Family Works is available 24/7.
- Each foster parent family has their own Support Plan which identifies their specific training and learning needs, and support in relation to the child/young person in their care. This may include support from a number of other professionals/agencies including Oranga Tamariki.
- Provides ongoing training opportunities for foster parents. This includes initial general training before foster parents are approved, after which their other training needs are addressed in their individual Support Plan.
- Provides advocacy, advice and information about fostering.
- Respite is available as part of individual Support Plans.
- Provides links with the Southland Foster Care Association, and Caring Families Aotearoa which provide free support, training and advocacy to foster parents.
- Publishes a regular newsletter.
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Contact Us
Allanah Blackley
Foster Care Co-ordinator
183 Spey Street
Invercargill 9810