NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is the lead government agency responsible for children who are placed in out-of-home care (OOHC). There is a shortage of homes for children in out-of-home care with an urgent need for foster carers.

Foster care is provided to children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. Foster carers support families by caring for children while parents get help to change. For a period of time, foster carers take on the responsibilities of a parent to provide a safe, nurturing and secure family environment for children and young people needing care.

There are generally 4 types of foster care including:

Emergency or crisis care - for children who need urgent care because there are concerns for their immediate safety. This can happen at night and on weekends. Due to the urgency of these placements there is often very short notice before the child is placed with carers

Respite care - support for parents and carers who need a break from their caring role.

Short to medium-term care - anywhere from a few months to two years.

Long-term care – permanent family placements for children until they turn 18.