Do I have to be Aboriginal to be a KARI Carer?
KARI do have a number of non-Aboriginal Carers who work collaboratively with us to support Aboriginal children. If this sounds like you, please get in touch with the Carer Recruitment team to discuss your eligibility.
How long does it take before our family can become Carers?
Due to many checks involved in the Carer recruitment process, the time it takes to be registered does vary. However, the average time is generally 6 months depending on the pace set by you as the applicant and the relevant checks that need to be undertaken.
What checks are carried out on my household and myself?
As part of the application process, we work with a number of agencies to carry out certain checks on you and your household. These include the following:
- Working with Children Check – All household members who are over the age of 18 require a cleared Working with Children Check.
- National Police Check – All household members who are over the age of 16 are required to undergo a National Police Check.
- Medical Check – The primary applicants are required to visit the doctor and complete our medical questionnaire. This ensures your health and wellbeing is at a level that’s suitable to care for and support a foster child.
- House Safety Check – It’s important that all foster children are placed in safe home environments, where they have enough space for their own time out and privacy.
- Community Services Check – All household members over 16 are required to undergo a Community Services check.
Can I be a Carer if I have a criminal record?
Every application is assessed on its own merits. The success of your application will depend on the nature of the offence and the timeframe in which it occurred.
Can I be a foster Carer if I work?
This depends on the needs of the child and the type of care you wish to provide, as well as the flexibility of your work.
Do Carers receive support?
KARI’s dedicated staff are on-hand to offer constant support to our Carers. You’ll be allocated a caseworker to support you every step of the way, as well as being provided with training and a fortnightly Carer allowance to assist with the everyday costs that come with caring for a child.
A number of other payments and reimbursements are also available following further discussion and negotiation with your allocated caseworker.