Ending a placement

The child in your care is part of your extended family. But there is a difference—sooner or later, that child may leave—either to move back home, to live on their own or live in another care arrangement.

Ending of a care agreement

A care agreement usually ends on a date agreed to by the parents, and stated in the care agreement. However, it can end at any time with at least 2 days’ notice.

You will be informed as soon as possible if a care agreement has ended.

A planned move from placement

Planned moves are best for the child, and for you and your family.

Planning for the child’s move out of care involves meetings between you, the child in your care (if the child is old enough), other members of your family, if appropriate, your Child Safety Officer (CSO) and your agency support worker.

These meetings will review:

• the child’s achievements during the time in your care
• areas that may still need work
• practical arrangements such as transport and packing
• allocating tasks—who does what
• whether there will be continued contact with the child
• when the move will happen
• how to support you and your family when the child in your care leaves.

An unplanned move from placement

Sometimes there can be a breakdown between you and the child in your care. Moving the child to a new placement may be the only solution. It is not pleasant, but the pain can be eased by not parting in anger, saying goodbye and being positive.

Checklist for a move from placement

When you need to organise for a child in your care to move on, make sure you check that:

• all the child’s belongings are packed (such as clothing, toys, toiletries, life diary)
• the CSO has the child’s birth certificate, Medicare card and any other important information and records.

It is important that you tell your CSO if you have feelings of sadness, anger or loss.

Deciding what goes and what stays

This can be difficult. A good rule of thumb is anything bought for the child’s personal use remains their property. These can include:

• special bedding (for example, a ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ quilt cover set)
• gifts given to the child during their placement with you
• that special ‘Bratz’ towel that the child used (general towels used by anyone in the household should remain in the household)
• items in the house that are special to the child. It might be a favourite mug or plate.

Supporting your own family

• Try to remember the reasons why you chose to become a foster or kinship carer—to provide a safe and caring home for a child and to help them live a better life.
• Try not to ask too much of yourself.
• Trust in yourself and what you have been able to give.
• Acknowledge and accept the emotions you will feel. You may grieve and so may others in the family. Change can create loss but it can also create hope.