Family Spirit NSW is a specialised foster care, guardianship, and adoption agency operating across the greater Sydney metropolitan region. Formed as a partnership between CatholicCare Sydney and Marist180, it helps vulnerable children and young people find safe, stable, and nurturing homes.
We support children and young people to stay safely with their families where possible, provide nurturing foster care when needed, and help them transition to independent adulthood. We also support foster carers and deliver adoption services.
Our services include support to help families stay together, foster care (including respite, emergency, kinship, short-term and long-term), guardianship and adoption. We also support young people to transition from care to living independently.
Looking for helpful information about foster care, parenting, adoption, or supporting children and young people? Our resources provide practical guides, expert advice, and useful tools to support prospective carers, current carers, families, and the wider community.
Join our community and help make a difference. Whether you're interested in becoming a foster carer, providing emergency care, or joining our team, there are many ways to get involved.
The experience of foster caring can be rich, vibrant and joyous – and it’s unique for everyone.
Family Spirit carers tell us that being a foster carer is positive, fulfilling and full of wonder. Many say that one of their greatest joys is playing a part in the achievements of the children in their care. Register to join one of our upcoming online information sessions to find out how to become a foster carer.
Flexible Care Options That Make Fostering Work For You
Foster carers provide safe, secure and loving homes to children who need it most, and there are many different ways you can help.
Whether you’re an experienced carer or parent, a couple, single or an empty-nester with more love to share – you can help children and young people find a brighter future.
Foster carers can make a real difference in a child’s life, whether support is provided on a part-time basis over a short period or in a full-time capacity over many years, the carer’s positive impact can lead them towards a brighter future.
Foster Carer Benefits and Support
Family Spirit offers a range of supportive services focused on the wellbeing and development of children and young people.
Making a real difference in a child's life
You provide safety, stability, and care to children who need a secure home, often during a very difficult time in their lives.
Financial support and allowances
Foster carers receive fortnightly allowances to help cover the costs of caring for a child, including food, clothing, school needs, and activities.
Training and ongoing asisstance
You receive free training before and during fostering, plus ongoing guidance from caseworkers and support teams through agencies and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice system.
Flexible care options
You can choose the type of care that suits your lifestyle, such asrespite care, emergency care, short-term, or long-term fostering.
Strong support network
Foster carers are part of a wider network that includes social workers, support groups, and other carers, so you’re never doing it alone.
Personal growth and fulfillment
Many carers describe fostering as deeply rewarding, developing new skills, gaining life experience, and building meaningful connections with children and other families.
Why Become A Foster Carer?
Becoming a foster carer is a meaningful and rewarding experience that creates lasting impact — not only for children, but for carers and their families as well.
Make A Real Difference
Provide a safe and supportive home that helps children build confidence, stability, and a brighter future.
Ongoing Support & Training
You’re never alone — receive professional guidance, training, and 24/7 support from an experienced team.
Flexible Care Options
Choose the type of care that suits your lifestyle, from short-term and respite care to long-term placements.
Emotional & Personal Reward
Experience the joy and fulfillment of helping a child grow, develop, and thrive in a safe environment.
Financial & Practical Support
Receive allowances and resources to help support the child and your household needs.
The Family Spirit Process
Becoming a foster carer is a meaningful and rewarding experience that creates lasting impact — not only for children, but for carers and their families as well.
Step 01
Call Our Team
Phone us on 13 18 19 to learn more about the process.
Step 02
Join A Foster Care Information Session
Learn more about the types of foster care and the process.
Step 03
Attend A Training Program
Join other prospective foster carers and learn more about supporting children in foster care. This training will help to provide you with a realistic picture of the care experience to help you decide if it is right for you.
Step 03
Take Part In An Assessment
If you would like to progress, then an assessment is conducted as part of this process. As a foster care agency, we understand that not all situations are the same.
Step 02
Get Ready
If your assessment is successful, additional training is offered to suit your needs. This training is decided on an individual basis to make sure we fully meet your needs.
Being a foster carer means caring for someone else’s child in your own home, but not being the child’s legal guardian.
Why do children need foster care?
Children and young people need care because they are unable to live with their birth families. The reasons vary and include physical abuse, neglect of basic needs, parental mental illness, domestic violence, disability or family crisis, and lack of family supports.
How do I know if I could be a foster carer?
Foster carers need to be over the age of 21 and in good health. You should also be able to provide a safe, stable and caring home environment, and most of all you should enjoy caring for children and young people.
To speak to someone about you personal circumstances and desire to care, please call us on 13 18 19 or contact us online.
What makes a good foster carer?
Ideally a good foster carer will:
- have a strong a commitment to children and young people - be patient, flexible and resilient - have good communication skills - have the ability to work collaboratively and in the best interests of the child/children - be able to meet the needs of a child, including supporting them to maintain relationships with their families - have a willingness to learn
Each Family Spirit foster carer is allocated a case manager who provides support and supervision through regular home visits and phone calls.
Carers and their families also have access to the Family Spirit Care for the Carer package which includes:
- Initial and ongoing training - Access to our Carer Assistance Program which includes free counselling support for each family member - 24-hour on call support - Scholarships to systemic Sydney Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney - Financial support - Monthly newsletterSocial events for carers and families
The type of care required will depend on the need of each child or young person. Care options include:
- Emergency care: being available 24-hours a day for a child in crisis - Respite care: short stays that provide parents or foster carers with a much needed break - Short term care: providing care for a period of time while working with families for the safe return of the child to their family - Kinship care: caring for a child that is related to you - Long term care: providing permanent foster care for a child until they are 18 years of age. This can include guardianship and adoption, where it is appropriate for the child or young person - Pre-adoptive care: caring for newborn babies while the birth parents consider adoption
Is support available to my own children if we become foster carers?
Family Spirit recognises the importance of supporting the whole family. Your children are included in the process to ensure they are comfortable with their family caring for other children and young people.
Do I need a big house to be a carer?
Your home needs to be child friendly and safe. You will need to provide the child/ren with their own bed, but they can share a bedroom with a sibling, but not with an adult or one of your children.
All carers receive a tax-free allowance to help cover day-to-day expenses for the child such as food, clothing, education, travel and leisure activities.
Do I need to pay school fees for my foster child?
If your foster child attends a systemic Sydney Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Sydney you have access to a bursary that covers school fees. This applies to primary and secondary school students.
Can I foster if I’m single?
Yes, we welcome applications from people who are single, with or without children, as well as couples in stable relationships. We will help you explore your network of family and friends to support you.
Can I work and become a foster carer?
Yes, we understand that people may need to work alongside caring for a child. Talk to us about this and we can help you to consider what kinds of care might be most appropriate for you. Our team is available on 13 18 19 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm) or you can contact us online.
Can I foster a child if I have my own children?
Yes you can. We ask that your youngest child is two years older than a foster child to ensure the needs of both children can be met.
What if I want to adopt a child that I foster?
In some cases this may be possible if this is in the best interests of the child. As an accredited adoptions agency, Family Spirit is able to train and authorise carers to become both foster carers and adoptive parents.
How does the application process work?
Family Spirit takes a personal approach with each application by taking into account individual circumstances. The first step is to call us on 13 18 19 or submit an online enquiry so we can guide you through the steps.
What are my rights and responsibilities as a foster carer?
As a foster carer, you have the right to:
- Be valued in your role as a carer and be treated with respect - Receive training and support from Family Spirit - Receive clear directions around the requirements of Family Spirit - Access the personal information Family Spirit holds on your fileBe provided with information about Family Spirit’s complaints process
As a foster carer, you are responsible for:
- Following the carer code of conduct and policies of Family Spirit - Respecting a child’s connection to their birth family, and supporting contact with them - Assisting the child with maintaining connections with their culture and to practice their religion - Following the behaviour management policy of the agency - Ensuring the child’s health and educational needs are met - Working with the case plan for the child and communicating with the agency regarding the child’s needs
