Fostering Connections
Providing prospective foster carers with enhanced support, shaped by industry and driven by sector.
Last updated: 11 Dec 2024
Vision and purpose
Fostering Connections envisions a future where every child and young person in care experiences the stability, safety, and love they deserve. By inspiring people across Victoria to open their hearts and homes as foster carers, and providing continuous support throughout their journey, we create stronger communities where children can truly thrive.
Our mission is to connect prospective foster carers with the essential information, guidance, and resources needed to navigate the recruitment process with confidence.
As a collaborative initiative among foster care agencies across Victoria, Fostering Connections leads the state’s foster care recruitment, generates valuable data and insights to inform strategies, and ensures a seamless pathway for carers to connect with local agencies.
Proudly supported by the Victorian Government, we are committed to providing children in care with the safe, nurturing homes they need to grow and succeed.
Fostering Connection's resources and support
Fostering Connections offers essential resources to guide you through every stage of becoming a foster carer, from accreditation to daily support. Alongside your foster care agency, which will be there to assist you at each step, additional resources are available to make the fostering journey easier.
History
Formed in 2016 by Victoria’s foster care agencies with support from the Victorian government, Foster Connections streamlines the process for prospective foster carers to access information and connect with the most suitable agency.
Fostering Connections is the only program of its kind in Australia, providing vital support for Victorians interested in learning about foster care and how they can contribute by becoming foster carers.
Impact
Fostering Connections continues to strengthen sector support through various initiatives.
In December 2022, the program launched the Foster Care Worker Resource Hub, providing a centralized source of up-to-date information to aid workers. Additionally, the program offered agencies a co-branding pack for the Play a Part campaign, along with tailored marketing and communications support, including reviews of carer attraction activities and strategic recommendations.
To further enhance sector capabilities, Fostering Connections also introduced an online training suite and webinars focused on improving data literacy, offering one-on-one consultations to support effective data use and entry.
The Foster Care Network
The Foster Care Network unites representatives from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Foster Care Association of Victoria, and foster care organizations to stay informed on sector changes, share best practices, and discuss service provisions. It provides updates on Fostering Connections, offers opportunities to network, and includes presentations on relevant topics, amplifying the voices of carers through peak body representation.
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