Become a Foster Carer
and Change a Child’s Life
At Parkerville Children and Youth Care, we are always on the lookout for people to become carers and help reshape the future for children in WA. For many people in our community, foster care is a meaningful way to offer care, stability and a sense of belonging to children who need it most.
Our dedicated team of Community Carers provide a safe, loving and nurturing home for children and young people who are unable to remain at home and need care within their community.
Our Foster Carers play a vital role in positively impacting the lives of children by offering care, compassion and a nurturing and supportive family environment. Through this support, children are given opportunities to heal, grow and thrive. Our foremost goal is to empower these individuals to recover from their past traumas and flourish in their lives.
About Foster Care
Community Foster Carers at Parkerville provide a long-term, loving and supportive environment for children and young people within their own homes. The family setting provides a stable long-term placement for the child until they are ready to leave care, at the age of 18 years.
Our carers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and cultures, and provide love and support for those in their care.
After an initial phone discussion, potential carers are given information about the role and the assessment process. This evaluation determines whether a person is suitable to become a Foster Carer. Throughout this process, Parkerville takes time to answer questions, provide guidance and ensure people feel informed and supported before making any decisions.
The process to become a registered Foster Carer can take from three to six months. Therapeutic Foster Carers are then carefully matched with children to ensure the best possible likelihood of a successful placement.
Types of Foster Care
At Parkerville Children and Youth Care, we have two types of Foster Carers.
Respite Carers are volunteers who provide a supportive home for a child on weekends or during school holidays. For many people, respite care is a meaningful way to begin their fostering journey, offering practical support while making a real difference in a child’s life. Even short periods of care can provide children with consistency and give vital support to carers.
Therapeutic Foster Carers may be single, married, or same-sex individuals and couples who are committed to providing full time short- or long-term care, love and a home for a child or children with whom a strong relationship has developed.
It may seem daunting when deciding whether to become a Foster Carer, but it is a role that has a lasting positive impact on the lives of children and young people, broadening their opportunities and providing them with love, stability and a nurturing family environment.
Support for Foster Carers
When you become a Foster Carer with Parkerville Children and Youth Care you can rest assured that you will not be alone. Our team of specialists are with you every step of the way and our dedicated support teams are here to help you with every challenge and celebrate every achievement.
As the child remains under the care of Parkerville Children and Youth Care, we will work together to improve the outcomes for some of Western Australia’s most vulnerable children and young people.
If you have ever wondered whether fostering might be something you could offer, whether for a weekend, a season, or longer, Parkerville warmly invites you to start a conversation. Many people begin by simply asking questions and learning more about what fostering involves. Learning more does not commit you to becoming a carer, but it may open the door to a deeply rewarding way of supporting children and families in your community.
To express your interest in becoming a Foster Carer or to have any questions answered, please email foster.care@parkerville.org.au.
Foster carer Kylie reflects on rewarding experience
Kylie has been a foster carer for 13 years including nearly two years with Parkerville.
A former police officer of 25 years, Kylie said what inspired her to become a foster carer was she recognised there was a huge need for foster carers to provide kids coming into care with a stable, loving home.
“I also just love being around kids because I think they keep you young and I really enjoy their company.
“The most rewarding part of being a foster carer is having input into my kids’ lives and shaping their everyday experiences. I really enjoy being part of every basketball carnival, every swimming carnival, every school open day. And I love just looking at them and seeing how amazing, resilient, beautiful souls that they are.
“A lot of people come up to me and say, oh, I couldn’t be a foster carer because when the kids leave, I would be really sad because I’ve become too attached to them.
“I’ve been attached to each and every one of my 20-plus kids that have been in my care and I just think it’s such a privilege and a joy to have them in your life and you to be in their lives for that short time that when they move on, you’ve made some great memories.
“You’ve had a really lovely time together, but it was time for them to move on.
“I still see a lot of my kids around or keep in contact with them and you know whenever they see me, they come up and give me a hug and a smile or send me a text message and I just feel glad I was part of their happy memories for that time.”
Kylie said the support provided by Parkerville has been amazing to both herself and the kids she’s cared for.
“We get allocated a caseworker who knows the kids and knows their needs. So, they understand the support the kids need at school and their health needs and their family needs, and they really make an effort to get to know us and we feel really supported by Parkerville.
“Anyone else looking to become a foster carer, I would more than recommend Parkerville because of the rewarding experience we’ve had.”