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Fostering and Kinship Service
About TAIHS Foster and Kinship Service
TAIHS Foster and Kinship Service (FKS) delivers services to Foster and Kinship Carers in Townsville, Palm Island and south to Home Hill and Ayr, West to Hughenden and north to Ingham.
The over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people within the child protection system is a major concern. TAIHS Foster and Kinship Service is dedicated to helping these children.
When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people need to live away from home for their own protection, we are committed to ensuring that their cultural identity and relationship with their families and communities is maintained.
What is Foster Care
Foster Care is a form of family-based care for children and young people who cannot stay at home because their parents are unable to look after them or they have been harmed, or are at risk of harm.
Foster Carers are everyday people from all walks of life. Whether they live in metropolitan or regional areas, remote or rural areas, they have a very valued role in our community.
Foster Carers are part of a team of people who work to provide safe and supportive environments for vulnerable children and young people who cannot stay at home for various reasons.
Our carers may provide care for one or two nights, a few months or even years depending on the situation.
Where possible, children are reunited with their families as soon as possible. Carers assist this process through a commitment to maintain ongoing relationships between children and their families.
Children coming into care are of different ages, Cultural and religious backgrounds. Contact with family helps children retain their connection and a sense of personal identity.
Caring is Important
Carers can have a positive impact on a child or young person's life, and can provide the extra support children need in what can be a difficult and confusing time in their lives.
It takes all types of people from all walks of life to care for children. To become an approved carer you will need to participate in an assessment process and complete pre-service training.
Carers may also have to complete additional specialist training to cater for a child's particular physical or emotional needs.
Carers need to be willing to maintain ongoing relationships between children and their families to support family reunification.
Carers need to be patient and show understanding to children in their care. It is important that they are considerate of their own emotions, the emotions of their family and the emotions of children being fostered.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a carer please give us a call or fill out the form below
Contact & Business Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm
Phone: (07) 4431 1433
Address: 296 Ross River Road, Aitkenvale 4814