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A young girl laughs with joy at the camera while swinging high on a swing. There are two other children on the swing with her.
  • Learning
Why do children enter the foster care system?

If you’re considering becoming a foster carer, it’s crucial to understand why and how kids enter the system. With around 11 000 children in care within Queensland alone(1), the list of specific reasons and situations that lead to children entering the system is a long and complicated one. Let’s look at some of the more…

A middle-aged woman holds a baby to her chest and smiles to someone off-camera. They're in a park or bush land.
  • Perspectives
Years of Love: Foster Carer shares joy of helping young people in need 

Mercy Community foster carer recognised for 59 years of continuous service, providing care for children and teens across two states. Long-time foster carer Lis has led an inspirational life.  She has spent 59 years as a foster carer, giving unconditional love and guidance, and advocating for hundreds of children and teenagers, at their greatest time…

  • Need to know
The training and support available to you as a new foster carer

At Mercy Community, we are dedicated to supporting you to be the best foster carer you can be. We spoke to Mercy Community’s Foster and Kinship Care Program Manager of the Ipswich region, Karen Vanderburg, about what lies in store for people just starting out on their foster care journey. Q: What training and support…

A new mother and father hold and smile at their new born in their kitchen.
  • Learning
The types of foster care you’ve probably never heard of

Foster care is something that a lot of people know a little bit about. However, unless you’ve had direct experience with foster care in some way, chances are you have a broad view and aren’t aware of the very different types of care.   Children and young people come into care for all kinds of reasons.…

Two foster dads happily watch their toddler play with building blocks on their living room floor.
  • Need to know
I’m ready to become a foster carer. What’s next?

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling decisions you could make. Getting started can be a little intimidating, so we’ve made this simple guide to show you the steps involved in becoming a foster carer…  Part one: Initial visit and consultation  Once you’ve completed the quiz and we have your…

A young girl stands by the water at the beach smiling at the camera.
  • Need to know
New foster families: What to expect

By Marc Gregory, Practice Development Facilitator, Mercy Community Families come to foster care for many different reasons and no two families will have the same experience. Foster care can offer many joys, wins, and can also provide an incredible sense of purpose and meaning. For a foster carer’s biological children, the experience of fostering can…

Teenage boy in a suit smiles at the camera.
  • Perspectives
Celebrating as a family

Jenny has been a foster carer with Mercy Community since 2009. She has two adult children, and is also a single-parent carer. Last year Jenny’s family had cause for celebration—her daughter was engaged, and the wedding date was set.   While finding a suitable home for teenagers is never easy, Jenny has always welcomed young people…

A child puts a Christmas bon bon paper crown on her mother who smiles at her lovingly.
  • Perspectives
Wishes at Christmastime 

At Christmas, our Foster and Kinship Care (FKC) regions each host a party for foster carers and the children they care for. Karen Vanderburg, FKC Program Manager for Mercy Community’s Ipswich region, attended the party organised by her team, where she had the chance to talk to many of the children.  ‘We had about 150…

Find out if you could change a child’s life.

In Queensland—and all around the world—foster carers are needed more than ever. Take our short quiz to learn more about foster care and see if it's a good fit for you.
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Phone Number: 1300 863 678

Website: Mercy Community

Reconciliation Statement
Mercy Community acknowledges the traditional owners and country on whose lands we provide a service, and recognises the cultural and spiritual connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We wish to pay respects to Elders past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and the important role they share across our sites.
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