Yiriyirimbang Foster Care FAQ
A safe and nurturing home starts with you
When you become a foster carer, you’re opening your heart and home to a child or young person — giving them a safe, nurturing space to grow strong, confident and connected.
At Yiriyirimbang, part of the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS), our team are locals who understand the needs of our carers and community.
We’re here with you every step of the way — offering regular visits, training, and personalised support that reflects what it means to care for children and young people in regional NSW.
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a Foster Carer with Yiri, we’d love to yarn with you.
Can I become a Foster Carer if I work or study?
Yes, absolutely. Many of our carers work or study while also providing care.
What matters most is the needs of the child or young person, the type of care required, and how flexible your work or study arrangements are.
We’ll work closely with you to make sure any placement feels like the right fit for both you and the child. Matching families and children thoughtfully is really important to us.
What matters most is the needs of the child or young person, the type of care required, and how flexible your work or study arrangements are.
We’ll work closely with you to make sure any placement feels like the right fit for both you and the child. Matching families and children thoughtfully is really important to us.
Does the child need their own bedroom?
Every child and young person deserves a space that feels like their own — somewhere they feel safe, comfortable and at home.
In most cases, foster children will need their own bedroom. Sibling groups can share, but children who aren’t related will each need their own room.
Children in relative kinship placements are living with family- the requirements for their own bedrooms will be discussed with you
In most cases, foster children will need their own bedroom. Sibling groups can share, but children who aren’t related will each need their own room.
Children in relative kinship placements are living with family- the requirements for their own bedrooms will be discussed with you
Is there an age restriction for Foster Carers?
There’s no set age limit. What’s most important is that you’re healthy, capable, and able to provide care for the time you’re authorised.
What if I have a criminal record?
Having a record doesn’t automatically rule you out. It depends on the nature of the offence.
Some offences — especially those related to children — will mean you can’t become a carer.
We’ll talk through your background check with you respectfully and confidentially.
Some offences — especially those related to children — will mean you can’t become a carer.
We’ll talk through your background check with you respectfully and confidentially.
Do Foster Carers get paid?
Foster Carers receive a fortnightly allowance to help cover the everyday costs of caring for a child or young person — things like food, clothing and school needs.
You might also be eligible for Centrelink payments, depending on your situation.
We’ll go through all of this with you during the recruitment process.
You might also be eligible for Centrelink payments, depending on your situation.
We’ll go through all of this with you during the recruitment process.
Do children in foster care stay connected to their family, community and mob?
In most cases, yes. Keeping family and cultural connections strong is really important.
Children and young people usually continue to see their family, and we’ll help make sure those visits happen in a safe and supported way that meets the child’s needs.
Children and young people usually continue to see their family, and we’ll help make sure those visits happen in a safe and supported way that meets the child’s needs.
Do foster carers meet the child's family?
Sometimes. It depends on what’s best for the child or young person and their individual situation.
We’ll always support you through that process if it happens.
We’ll always support you through that process if it happens.
How long does it take to become a Foster Carer?
It usually takes around 3 to 6 months.
This depends on things like when assessments and training sessions are scheduled, and your availability for interviews.
If you are currently authorised with another Agency, or have recently been authorised with another agency, the transfer process takes around 6-12 weeks. If you have never been a carer before, please allow 3-4 months for the full assessment, carer training and assessment yarns.
This depends on things like when assessments and training sessions are scheduled, and your availability for interviews.
If you are currently authorised with another Agency, or have recently been authorised with another agency, the transfer process takes around 6-12 weeks. If you have never been a carer before, please allow 3-4 months for the full assessment, carer training and assessment yarns.
What happens during the assessment process?
Because caring for children and young people is such an important role, we’ll take time to get to know you.
We’ll talk about your experiences, family life, and what you can bring to fostering. We look for people who can:
We’ll talk about your experiences, family life, and what you can bring to fostering. We look for people who can:
- Provide safe, caring and consistent day-to-day care.
- Work well with others — including our team, Community Services and birth families.
- Use your own life experiences to support a child’s growth and wellbeing.
- Demonstrate your understanding of keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children safe and connected to family and community
What if my children don’t want a foster child living with us?
That’s okay — everyone in the family needs to feel comfortable and heard.
If your children have concerns, it’s important to listen and talk openly as a family.
Our team can help you have those conversations and make sure everyone feels supported in the decision.
If your children have concerns, it’s important to listen and talk openly as a family.
Our team can help you have those conversations and make sure everyone feels supported in the decision.
I’m already a Foster Carer with another agency. Can I transfer to Yiriyirimbang?
Carers can only be registered with one agency at a time.
If you’d like to move to Yiri, you’ll need to chat with your current agency first.
We’ll then ask you to sign a Release of Information Form so we can learn about your caring history and make sure the transition goes smoothly.
If you’d like to move to Yiri, you’ll need to chat with your current agency first.
We’ll then ask you to sign a Release of Information Form so we can learn about your caring history and make sure the transition goes smoothly.
Ready to learn more?
If you’re thinking about becoming a foster carer or would like to have a yarn with our friendly team, get in touch with Yiriyirimbang at OAMS today.
Together, we can help our children and young people grow up strong, safe and connected to culture.
Together, we can help our children and young people grow up strong, safe and connected to culture.