Why Foster Care Matters
A safe home can change everything. Right now, children and young people in our region need someone to step in with care, stability and hope.
You could be the person who makes that difference.
Sadly, there are children in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Macarthur regions who can’t live at home due to safety or wellbeing concerns. Many have experienced trauma and need patient, consistent care to help them heal.
Foster care gives these children a stable home, whether it’s for a few nights, a few months, or longer.
Through CatholicCare Diocese of Wollongong’s Permanency Support Program (PSP), we match children with carers and provide the training, support and resources to help you both thrive.
Why foster with CatholicCare
Fostering is a team effort, and we’ll be alongside you the whole way. For decades, we’ve supported children, families and carers across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Macarthur and Southern Highlands, with our local experience shaping everything we do.
- A dedicated case manager: Regular home visits and a single point of contact who knows you and your household.
- After-hours crisis support: Real help when you need it, including outside business hours.
- Ongoing training and guidance: Practical learning that grows with you, plus access to behaviour support specialists when needed.
- Financial support: A fortnightly tax-free care allowance to help cover day-to-day costs, plus respite opportunities when you need a break.
- A community of carers: Connect with other foster carers through support groups, events and shared experiences.
- A values-led, local approach: Trauma-informed, child-centred practice grounded in our community.
Our mission is grounded in a deep belief that every child deserves safety, dignity, and a place to belong.
As Bishop Brian Mascord reflects, fostering is not just an act of care, it’s a profound way to stand alongside children and families when they need it most. Every human life is sacred and deserving of love, protection, and care regardless of their circumstance.
If you’ve been thinking about fostering, hear his message.
Is foster care right for me?
Wondering if fostering could fit your life? It’s a question worth sitting with.
We’ve put together some practical considerations and basic requirements to help you think it through.
What types of care are available?
Foster care isn’t one-size-fits-all. From respite for a weekend to longer-term placements, there are different ways to be a carer, depending on what works for you and what a child needs.
How to become a foster carer
The process to become a foster carer takes time, but you’re not on your own. From your first conversation to your first placement, we’ll walk you through every step.
Carer stories
The best people to tell you what fostering is really like are the people doing it.
Hear from local carers about the highs, the challenges, and what’s keeping them going.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to show up with care, patience and consistency to a child who needs it.
People from all walks of life can make a meaningful difference, whether you can care for a few nights, a few months or longer. We’ll be with you every step of the way.