Formal Relative, Kinship and Grandparent Carers in New South Wales
If something serious happens to the child or young person in your care or if you think a child or young person is at risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The internet is a useful source of information for out-of-home carers. This page contains links to Commonwealth, state and territory, and non-government information, supports and services that may be useful to you.
Go to National Support and Services to find out what Commonwealth and non-government support you may be eligible for.
Find the answer to Frequently Asked Questions about Australian Government support.
New South Wales Government reimbursements, information and support for formal relative, kinship or grandparent carers
-
- NSW Formal Care – If the child in your care was placed with you through a child protection order, find out what services you can access as a formal kinship carer.
- Caring for Kids (PDF) – The new guide for foster, relative and kinship carers in NSW.
Legal Information and assistance
Information to help you raise the children and young people in your care
- Parentline NSW – A free, professional telephone service to help you with raising children aged 0 to 18 years. Call 1300 1300 52 to speak to someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Careline – If you have any problems raising a child aged 0 to 5 years, you can call 1300 CARING (1300 227 464) 7 days a week for professional help.
- Raising a Grandchild – Information for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Australia.
- Parenting Information – Tips and guides on raising children.
- Healthy Kids – Information and ideas about physical activity and healthy eating for children and young people.
Information for children and young people in care
- CREATE – Find out about services and support for children in care, including about how to get an Entering Care Kit.
Carer supports
- Connecting Carers NSW – Access to free training, information and peer support. You can speak to someone right now by calling 1300 794 653.
- AbSec – The NSW non-government body for Aboriginal families and children involved in child protection. Call 1800 888 698 for the Aboriginal Foster Care Advice Line and Support Groups.
- Foster Parents Support Network of NSW – A service representing NSW Foster Carers. Call 1800 262 445.
- Council of the Aging (COTA) NSW – This is the NSW branch of an organisation that works to help older Australians.
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren – Information about supports and services available to grandparents raising their grandchildren in NSW.
- Grandparent Support Groups – Find out about grandparent support groups in your local area.
- MyTime for Grandparents - MyTime for Grandparents is a national network of peer support groups for grandparent carers who are the full-time carers of their grandchildren aged up to 18 years. Find out more about the groups and if there is one near you.
Promoting the rights of children and young people who aren’t living with their parents
- Children’s Guardian – The Children’s Guardian promotes the rights and best interests of children and young people in care in NSW.
- Charter of Children’s Rights – A Charter of Rights has been developed specifically for children and young people in out-of-home care. The Charter is a statement of their fundamental rights.
- CREATE – CREATE Foundation is the peak body representing the voices of all children and young people in out-of-home care.
Information for Indigenous carers and carers of Indigenous children and young people
- AbSec – The NSW non-government body for Aboriginal families and children involved in child protection. Call 1800 888 698 for the Aboriginal Foster Care Advice Line and Support Groups.
- Aboriginal Legal Services – Legal advice and representation for Indigenous people in NSW and the ACT.
- Caring for Kids (PDF) – The new guide for foster, relative and kinship carers in NSW has a chapter on caring for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children.
Information for carers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Caring for Kids (PDF) – The new guide for foster, relative and kinship carers in NSW has a chapter on caring for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.