At MacKillop, we provide short-term foster care across Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia to give children access to a safe and nurturing environment while longer-term decisions are made. By offering this stability, we help children maintain routines and feel secure while adults plan for their future with the aid of professionals.
What is short-term foster care?
Definition and purpose
Short-term foster care is a temporary arrangement when children cannot remain safely at home. We place great emphasis on stability, safety and comfort so children continue to attend school, see friends and feel cared for while decisions about their future are finalised.
How it differs from long-term foster care
Unlike long-term placements that provide a permanent family environment, short-term care is a time-limited type of foster care that aims to prepare children for reunification or other permanent options.
Why children need short-term foster care
Need for immediate protection
Children may enter care because of family crisis, child protection involvement, or while permanent arrangements are being finalised. Short-term foster care in Australia is often the first safe step for children when urgent protection is required.
Transition back to original families or long-term care
Our goal is to give children security while their families receive support to address challenges. Many placements lead to reunification, but when that isn’t possible, short-term carers play an important role in helping children transition to long-term options. Providing these children with a place to stay during turbulent times is a major reason why many become short term foster carers.
