Looking after yourself

Being a foster or kinship carer can be stressful. It is important that you take care of yourself and be mindful of the impact of fostering on your children and other family members. You can do this by being able to recognise when you need support and the importance of asking for help and advice.

Building a support network is critical in helping you manage the challenges of providing care. A support network consists of the people that you could call on for practical support, and who can provide both formal and informal support. Formal support will likely come from members of the child’s safety and support network as well as other services that are working with you or the child, or agencies such as Queensland Foster and Kinship Care. Find out more about where to get help.

Informal support may be provided by community groups, family and friends, neighbours or other carers. Many foster and kinship support services have carer support groups that give carers the opportunity to meet other carers for peer support or buddying programs.

Queensland Foster and Kinship Care

Queensland Foster and Kinship Care (QFKC) is a non-government association providing advice, support and advocacy to all foster and kinship carers in Queensland. Whilst carers receive day-to-day support through their care service, QFKC can be accessed to assist in more complex matters and can also provide advice that assists carers in interpreting policy, procedure and legislation into everyday care.

Carers can also be members of QFKC and receive a bi-monthly reporter which provides up to date information to carers about relevant matters in the sector. Carers do not have to be a member of QFKC however to receive a service from QFKC.

For more information, call Queensland Foster and Kinship Care on (07) 3256 6166 or go to Queensland Foster and Kinship Care’s Facebook page.