Foster

Foster is a Quovus project specifically designed to enhance the provision of Foster Care services.

Standing for 'Focus On Support, Training, Education and Results', Foster is the result of our company’s extensive experience in the provision of clinical and professional supports to children and young people in out of home care, and to the carers and agencies who support them.

Foster offers a range of products and services to foster carers and foster care agencies.

The Care Factor is an assessment package for evaluating potential foster carers. This package complies with State Government minimum standards for the recruitment of foster carers in both New South Wales and Queensland. The assessment package is made up of several key outcome areas and incorporates competency based assessment tasks for the foster care applicant.

Foundations is our placement transition package which provides both agencies and foster carers with a practical tool for ensuring that all transition requirements have been met prior to a new or alternate placement commencing. This package has specific value in supporting the process of clients exiting care by ensuring that all legislative and accreditation requirements have been met.

The Care-Pacity model of foster carer support is concerned with developing carer skills and building resilience. This program provides regular, face to face, clinical support for foster carers (usually in their own homes) based on the support needs of the children and young people in care. Quovus’ experience has indicated that where carers are provided with access to regular support and training there is a reduced risk of placement breakdown. Support is provided to assist the carer in their role with the child / young person in care and most often includes: behaviour management, critical incident response, de-briefing, skill development and legislative requirements. Importantly, this support is not case management of the child as this role is maintained by the Agency or Department.

The Practical Carer is a training package designed for small group training of foster carers. Agencies may choose to work with Quovus to develop an annual training calendar which allows for the planned delivery of training. Foster carers may nominate, or be nominated, to attend a variety of workshops covering different topics based on their needs. All workshops are designed to run over a four-hour period so as to minimise disruption for carers.

Quovus understands the complex issues surrounding the provision of foster care to children and young people. Foster aims to work with carers and agencies to continually improve the quality of care provided and focus on achieving positive results for the individuals who receive this care.