Professional Foster Care Program Pilot – Phase 1

The Customer (being the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services, and Child Safety, (the department) is seeking quotes for the provision of services to support the Queensland Government Professional Foster Care program Pilot (the Pilot). This initiative is being delivered under the Family Based Care Services Investment Specification Specialist Family Based Care Service Type as part of a continuum of support services that comprise out of home care, provided in accordance with the legislated standards of care (Child Protection Act 1999, section 122) and the Charter of Rights for a Child in Care (Child Protection Act 1999, section 74, and Schedule 1).

This innovative Pilot will be implemented for children with disability and complex needs who are at risk of entering or are in the residential care system. PFC services will be responsible for recruiting up to 100 Professional Foster Carers by 31 January 2028 across two pilot sites in Queensland, South East Queensland (including South East Region and Brisbane Moreton Bay Region) and in Townsville in North Queensland Region (across Townsville based Child Safety Service Centres).

The Pilot represents an exciting opportunity to reimagine a model of family based care that will provide a genuine alternative to residential care, establish a new pathway for carer recruitment, and support children who have historically lacked a transition pathway from residential care to family based settings or have been placed in residential care models where there are no family based options able to support their specialised needs.

The Pilot is an opportunity to deliver a bold new model of care and support for children and young people with disabilities such as neurodiversity [Autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)], intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, and psychosocial disabilities, as well as those with complex needs, including co-occurring disabilities, trauma-related behaviours, self-harm, aggression, and difficulties regulating emotions.