MacKillop is seeking specialised foster carers in NSW to provide one-on-one care for young people aged 12-17 years who need a safe, stable home environment.
Specialised foster carers are needed for MacKillop's Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) program which provides therapeutic care in stable home environments to children and young people who have experienced trauma and require additional supports.
Carers are needed in Western Sydney, Northern NSW and Queanbeyan for a variety of different models of care within the program.
To apply, carers need:
- warmth and a dedication to help guide and care for a young person
- at least one carer needs to be at home full-time, but carers can be single or in a relationship
- preferably experience in supporting young people with complex behaviours - people who may be interested may come from a broad range of backgrounds, jobs or career types - social services, youth services, teaching, mental health, nursing, community services, childcare, or other relevant experience
- to have no other children living at home
- carers can be of any religious, ethnic or language background, young, older, married or single
Carers receive:
- a package of intensive support which includes ongoing training, access to specialist therapeutic practitioners and regular respite
- a generous tax free allowance (base of $65,000 plus incidentals) - reflecting the more demanding needs of the children and young people
- individual packages will be negotiated
Models of care
There are multiple models of care where carers are required.
Therapeutic Home Based Care (THBC)
THBC is a less intensive placement option where young people aged 12-17 years are looked after by permanent authorised foster carers who provide 24-hour care seven days a week in their own home or a home provided and maintained by MacKillop.
THBC carers need a minimum qualification, or be working towards this qualification, in a related field such as psychology, community services, youth services, education and health. THBC carers need to provide 1:1 care to a young person. THBC is not time-limited but does include regular case plan goals and supports to ensure the needs of the young person are being met.
Therapeutic Sibling Option Placement (TSOP)
TSOP is a care option for siblings or related groups of children in care – a minimum of three children or young people. They are also looked after by permanent authorised live-in foster carers who provides 24-hour care seven days a week in their own home or a home provided and maintained by MacKillop.
The key objective is to successfully support sibling/related groups of children and young people to reside together as a family unit, requiring intensive support. The carer’s primary role is to provide a safe, structured, nurturing and supportive environment to meet the emotional and physical needs of the sibling group. The children and young people will receive ongoing MacKillop casework, respite and access to specialist support services. Children under 12 years of age can be placed in a TSOP home to keep a sibling/relative group together.
All people wishing to apply to become a foster carer must be:
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- in good health
- willing to undertake a Working with Children check and Police Checks
