Key information
- There are financial supports available to help cover the costs of caring for children and young people. This includes assistance from the Australian Government.
- There are a range of policies, procedures and guides that inform our work with children, young people, their families and carers.
- Below are some frequently asked questions to provide you with as much information as possible.
Being a foster or kinship carer is an enriching and fulfilling experience. Whether you are already a carer or are thinking about becoming a carer, the information on this page will assist you in understanding what supports, including financial support is available to you.
Financial Support
We appreciate the valuable role carers have in children’s lives. Financial support is available to contribute to the costs of raising and supporting children and young people to thrive.
Carer allowance
Foster and Kinship carers are volunteers and are paid a fortnightly rate to help cover the cost of caring for children and young people. There is also a range of other financial assistance that may be available to you.
For additional costs or to understand more about what other financial supports may be available to you, speak with your carer support worker or contact us on foster.carers@decyp.tas.gov.au or 0493 227 971.
This phone number is actively monitored from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. For calls outside these times please leave a message and our team will get back to you.
Other financial supports
For more financial supports that may be available to you or the child or young person in your care, including assistance from the Australian Government, see the below links.
- Transition to Independent Living Allowance – Services Australia
- Financial assistance for school costs
- Grandparents caring for grandchildren
- Ticket to Play
- Student fares and ticketing – Transport Services
- Services Australia
- Grandparent, Foster and Kinship Carer Advisers – Services Australia
- Foster Child Health Care Card – Services Australia
- Child Dental Benefits Schedule – Services Australia
- Family Tax Benefit – Services Australia
- Child Care Subsidy – Services Australia.
Our policies
There are a range of policies and procedures in place that you may find useful to understand – for the children in your care and the support you receive as a carer.
Stability and Permanency
Supporting children and young people in Care to have stability in their daily life. We work hard to find a long term, safe and supportive home for children and young people who are unable to live at home long term.
Stability and permanency in Care is complex, and the two concepts work together. Stability means things stay the same and are predictable – we know feeling stable helps children and young people have a good life. Permanency options are what we can use to help stability. Finding permanent, safe and supportive options for children and young people unable to live at home long term helps them feel stable.
Learn more about stability and permanency in Out of Home Care.
Third party guardianship
Third party guardianship is when a carer that a child or young person feels safe with, becomes their official guardian.
The Child Safety Service can apply to the court for the guardianship of a child or young person to be transferred to their carer, who they feel happy and safe living with. Many children and young people who have had their guardianship transferred to their carers have felt happy and relieved. It provides stability and security as well as improving their sense of belonging. The Child Safety Service hand over responsibility for the child or young person’s care and stop being involved in the day-to-day decision making.
Learn more about guardianship transfer for children in Out of Home Care.
Wellbeing in Care
The Wellbeing in Care process outlines how we respond to worries and concerns about children and young people in Care. We are committed to enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people in Care. This process was previously referred to as a Care Concern.
Learn more about the Wellbeing in Care process and what it involves.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Child Safety Service do?
In Tasmania, the Department for Education, Children and Young People helps to keep children and young people safe. The Child Safety Service works together with the child or young person, and their family, to find ways to solve any problems affecting the safety and wellbeing of a child. The Child Safety Service supports the child or young person until it’s safe to go home again, or safe to live somewhere else.
Find out more about the Child Safety Service on the Guide to Tasmania’s child safety services page.
Where can I find more information about care services?
The out of home care system works to support children and young people to have somewhere safe to live and feel stable while they can’t be with their parents. A more detailed explanation of the out of home care services can be found on the Out of Home Care system page.
What is the legislation relevant to child safety and care services?
The Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997 provides the framework and mandate for government, non-government services, community members and families to respond to situations where children may have experienced abuse or neglect, or where it is considered they may be at risk of suffering harm within their family.
The young person in my care is transitioning to independence, what now?
Every young person has the right to support during their transition from the Care system into independence and to help achieve their goals. For information on supports available for young people and leaving Care plans visit the Support to transition from Out of Home Care page.
How can I make a complaint about the Child Safety Service?
We’re committed to protecting children and young people, and treating everyone with respect. Your complaint could be about a decision we have made, the service you received or staff behaviour. If you wish to make a complaint about our service, you can do so by completing the complaint form.
If your concern is in relation to the conduct of a worker within our Department that relates to child abuse, DECYP will also pass the details of your concern on to the Office of the Independent Regulator (further information is available here – About | Office of the Independent Regulator (oir.tas.gov.au)).
Where can I find more information about Youth Justice services?
Find out how youth justice services are delivered in Tasmania and what the reform involves on the Youth justice services page.