Emergency foster care services in Victoria.
Emergency foster care provides urgent care for children and babies who cannot safely remain at home due to an unexpected or immediate situation. These placements happen quickly and are designed to offer safety and stability while the next steps are worked out.
Become a foster carer for children and young people
What is emergency foster care?
Emergency foster care is urgent, short-term care arranged when a child cannot stay safely in their home and needs immediate alternative care. Placements are made at short notice and focus on safety, routine and basic stability while longer-term decisions are considered.
- Typical duration: hours, days to a few weeks, depending on circumstances
- Ages: can include babies, infants, children and young people
- Decision-making: coordinated through child protection and care teams.
Below, you’ll find practical information about who can provide emergency care, how long placements usually last, the training and support available, where services operate, and how to get started with Uniting.
Who can provide emergency foster care?
People from many backgrounds can provide emergency foster care, but the role does require a level of flexibility and reliability. Carers need to be comfortable with uncertainty, quick transitions and short-notice arrangements.
Quick self-check:
- Availability to take placements with little notice
- A safe, stable home environment
- Capacity to manage short stays and transitions
- Willingness to follow professional guidance
- A support network to draw on
- Emotional resilience during uncertain situations.
If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people, please consider becoming a foster carer.
Why do children and babies need emergency foster care?
Emergency care is used when there’s an urgent change in a child’s circumstances and immediate safety is the priority. It provides a stable environment while risks are assessed and long term planning occurs.
In the first 24 to 72 hours, children may need:
Predictable routines (meals, sleep, school or childcare where relevant)
Reassurance and calm adult presence
Basic care items and hygiene support
Health checks or follow-up appointments
Initial planning for schooling or early learning continuity.
How long does emergency foster care last?
Emergency foster care is usually short-term, but the exact length varies depending on the child’s situation.
Duration can be influenced by:
● Assessment and information-gathering timelines
● Court or legal processes where applicable
● Reunification planning with family
● Matching to short- or long-term foster care.
Emergency foster care requirements
Emergency foster care requirements include an enquiry and information session, application, screening checks, references, interviews, a home safety assessment, training, and ongoing engagement with case coordination and care teams.
Home and space requirements
Housing suitability is assessed to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for a child’s age and needs. Requirements can differ by state guidance.
Typical considerations may include:
● Safe sleeping arrangements
● Adequate space and privacy
● Household composition
● Safe storage for medications and hazards
● Pets, fencing and outdoor safety where relevant.
Caring for babies and infants in emergency placements
Emergency foster care can include babies and infants, and these placements often require additional confidence and preparation. Matching considers a carer’s training, experience and preferences.
Readiness factors may include:
● Understanding safe sleep practices
● Feeding, settling and routine care
● Nappy changing and hygiene
● Attending health checks and appointments
● Comfort following professional advice and guidance.
What does emergency foster caring involve day to day?
The first days of an emergency placement are focused on stabilising routines, meeting immediate needs and staying in close contact with the care team. The aim is to create calm and predictability as quickly as possible.
Day-to-day responsibilities can include:
● Providing meals, rest and basic care
● Supporting attendance at school or childcare where appropriate
● Responding to the child’s needs or concerns
● Communicating with case workers and following guidance
● Managing short-term documentation and appointments.
Placement timeframes and how quickly placements can happen
Emergency placements can happen with little warning and timing depends on local need and matching. Carers can set boundaries around their availability, preferences and capacity. During a placement call, discussion may include:
● Age range and number of children
● Sibling considerations
● Location and travel capacity
● Expected timeframe
● Immediate health or care needs.
Training and support during emergency placements
Support is provided throughout emergency placements and may include:
● Regular contact with a case worker
● Guidance during challenging situations
● Clear escalation pathways if concerns arise
● Coordination with health, education and other services.
Financial support and reimbursements
Foster carers receive a reimbursement toward the day-to-day costs of caring for a child or young person. Rates vary by state and placement type and are guided by government frameworks.
Common questions about emergency foster care
Why do children need emergency foster care?
Emergency care is used when there’s an urgent change in a child’s circumstances and immediate safety is the priority. It provides a stable environment while risks are assessed and planning occurs.
What is emergency foster care?
Emergency foster care is urgent, short-term care arranged when a child cannot stay safely in their home and needs immediate alternative care. Placements are made at short notice and focus on safety, routine and basic stability while longer-term decisions are considered.
● Typical duration: hours, days to a few weeks, depending on circumstances
● Ages: can include babies, infants, children and young people
● Decision-making: coordinated through child protection and care teams.
What is the process of becoming a foster carer?
Step 1. Contact us
Register your interest and take the first step towards becoming a foster carer by getting in touch with us.
Step 2. Join an information session
Chat to us about becoming a foster carer and receive essential information to help you make an informed decision.
Step 3. Complete the accreditation process
To ensure the safety of children in care, you will undergo comprehensive assessments including Health Checks, National Police Check, Working with Children Check, and a Home and Environment check.
Step 4. Attend training
Get equipped with crucial skills and knowledge about fostering children, child safety, and access to a range of resources.
Step 5. Home visits and assessments
Through interviews with you and everyone who lives in your home, we will conduct a detailed assessment to lead you towards accreditation.
Step 6. Congratulations, you are a foster carer!
Upon accreditation, we will match you with a child or young person. And we’ll continue to give you ongoing support throughout your foster care experience.
Can I foster if I work full-time or have children already?
Yes, depending on your availability and the type of foster care. Foster carers receive ongoing support from the care team throughout a child or young person’s placement. Support may include respite, transport for school or extra-curricular activities, and transport to appointments.
Do I need to be married, own a home, or have parenting experience?
No. Foster carers may be single or partnered, renters or homeowners, with or without children. What matters is stability, readiness, and a willingness to learn and be supported.
Can I say no to a placement?
Yes, you can always say no. Emergency placements can happen with little warning and timing depends on local need and matching. During a placement call, discussion may include:
● Age range and number of children
● Sibling considerations
● Location and travel capacity
● Expected timeframe
● Immediate health or care needs
Carers can set boundaries around their availability, preferences and capacity.
What financial support is provided?
Foster carers receive a reimbursement toward the day-to-day costs of caring for a child or young person. Rates vary by state and placement type and are guided by government frameworks. These details will be covered during our information, training and accreditation process.
What type of guidance and support is provided?
When you become a foster carer with Uniting, you’ll have a specialised support team with you every step of the way. Support includes:
- Comprehensive training on parenting approaches to support healing and skill development
- Ongoing support, supervision and practical assistance from a designated Case Worker
- Access to a dedicated expert care team
- Access to respite care for your foster child when you need a break
- After hours on-call support service
- Financial support to help cover the costs that come with being a foster carer.
What does emergency foster caring involve day to day?
The first hours/days of an emergency placement are focused on stabilising routines, meeting immediate needs and staying in close contact with the care team. The aim is to create calm and predictability as quickly as possible.
Day-to-day responsibilities can include:
● Providing meals, rest and basic care
● Supporting attendance at school or childcare where appropriate
● Responding to the child’s needs or concerns
● Communicating with case workers and following guidance
● Managing short-term documentation and appointments
How long does it take to become a foster carer?
On average it takes 4 to 6 months to become an accredited foster carer. However, everyone’s circumstances are different so the process could be longer.
This process is a collaboration between you and Uniting (your agency), we will schedule visits, organise training and assessments at a pace that suits you.
How much space does a foster child need?
Contrary to what people think, you do not have to have a large home to become a foster carer. All that is required is a spare bedroom to provide the children in your care with the personal space, privacy they need and storage for their personal belongings.
Can I take a break or stop fostering at any time?
Yes, you may take a short break or discontinue from caring at any time. You can also access short term respite for children in your care.
If you are thinking about returning to foster care, we’ll work closely with you to ensure you have access to the training and resources you need.
How do I become an emergency foster carer?
Becoming an emergency foster carer is a supported process, designed to ensure children’s safety and carer readiness. Timeframes vary depending on availability, checks and training schedules.
You can register your interest online and then join an information session to learn more about fostering and ask questions.
This step includes background checks, references, interviews and a home safety review. Each element exists to ensure children are placed in safe environments..
Training prepares carers for the realities of emergency care. Home preparation is an important aspect of this, and includes safe sleeping setup, emergency contact communication, and more.
Once approved, carers may be contacted about potential placements. Information is shared openly, and carers can decline if it’s not the right fit.
Where is emergency foster care available in Victoria?
Uniting provides foster care services across Melbourne’s East, South and West as well as in the Wimmera and Gippsland. Availability can vary by location, and carers are encouraged to enquire to confirm local service coverage.
What other foster care options are available?
Uniting also supports:
- Short-term foster care: care while longer-term plans are decided
- Long-term foster care: ongoing stability for children
- Respite foster care: providing planned short breaks for long-term carers
- Kinship care: care by family or known connections.
Enquire about emergency foster care with Uniting
To learn more, you can contact us or attend an information session.
To learn more, you can fill out our online enquiry form and start the process by attending an information session.
