Adolescent Foster Care

Our Bridges Adolescent Community Placement (ACP) is a foster care program for young people 12 – 18 years of age in the municipalities of Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and parts of Maribyrnong.

Bridges ACP relies on people in the community to volunteer their homes and their time as foster carers. Our carers are recruited, trained and supported by program staff to provide a safe, secure and supportive home environment for young people in the program.

To keep doing this, Bridges are always looking to recruit all different types of families and households to take on this very important role. Foster cares come from all types of backgrounds and families. Foster carers can be individuals, couples or part of a family. Foster carers can work part time or full time or be at home full time. Foster carers are culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse, male or female, and come from a range of age groups.

What is important is that foster carers are able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for young people who need care. Foster carers are required to show a commitment to meeting the needs of young people who need looking after. This includes an acceptance of individual diversity and difference. They must also be able to work as part of a team.

The rewards of foster care

People who make the decision to become foster carers are willing to share their lives with young people in need of care and stability, demonstrating incredible dedication and commitment. It is important to remember that caring for a young person can be very rewarding.

An adolescent foster carer commented:

"Caring for a teenager in your own home is more rewarding than most people think........ Something as small as a 'thank you for listening' or 'thank you for understanding' is the step in what might be an amazing friendship between teen and adult"

Enquiries about foster care or how to become a Foster Carer, please call our Bridges Adolescent Community Placement Team on 9742 6452