Professional foster care pilot

The professional foster care pilot is a new initiative to address the growing demand for residential care placements and the increasing pressure on family-based care arrangements in Queensland.

This innovative program focuses on transitioning children and young people with disabilities and complex needs from residential care into stable, family-based environments.

The pilot aims to:

  • provide specialised family-based care for children with disabilities and complex needs
  • enhance Queensland’s foster care system to reduce reliance on residential care
  • evaluate the effectiveness of professional foster care arrangements.

The program will support children and young people with diverse needs, including neurodiversity—Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, psychosocial disabilities, and those with trauma-related behaviours, self-harm tendencies, aggression, and emotional regulation challenges.

Key components of the pilot include:

  • $28.775 million investment to support the pilot over 4 years
  • recruitment, training and support for up to 100 professional foster carers
  • contracts for service delivery will commence on 1 April 2026 and conclude 31 January 2028
  • a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot will be conducted by late 2027 to assess its outcomes and inform future planning.

This pilot represents a significant step forward in providing tailored, family-based care for children and young people who require specialised support, offering a meaningful alternative to residential care.

Pilot sites

Three new professional care providers have been established to deliver services across the following pilot sites.

South East Queensland

(Brisbane and Moreton Bay and South East Child Safety Service Centre regions)

North Queensland

(Townsville and surrounds Child Safety Service Centre regions)

What is a professional foster carer?

Professional foster carers are individuals or couples whose primary focus is providing full-time specialised care for children and young people with disabilities or complex needs.

These carers are carefully selected for their professional background or extensive experience in supporting children with unique challenges, such as neurodiversity, trauma-related behaviours or physical disabilities.

Professional foster carers are committed to creating a safe and adaptable home environment that meets the specific needs of the children in their care. They work collaboratively with care services, Child Safety and other stakeholders to develop and implement essential plans, including education support plans, child health passports, transition-to-adulthood plans and NDIS plans. This teamwork ensures that children receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive.

In addition to providing day-to-day care, professional foster carers are strong advocates for the children they support. They actively ensure that children have access to opportunities to explore their personal interests and develop their skills. Carers also manage care-related costs through enhanced allowances, funding and other available resources to meet the children’s needs effectively.

Professional foster carers play a vital role in Queensland’s efforts to transition children from residential care into stable, family-based settings. By offering personalised support in a nurturing home environment, they help children and young people build a brighter future and achieve positive outcomes.

  • Professional foster carers create a home environment tailored to the child’s needs, which may include modifications for medical equipment or facilities to manage behavioural challenges. They work closely with stakeholders to ensure the child’s health, education and cultural needs are met, while also fostering opportunities for personal growth and development.

  • Professional foster carers are selected based on their professional expertise or significant experience in caring for children with complex needs. During recruitment, they may undergo additional assessments, such as psychometric or psychological tests to ensure they are well-suited to the role.

  • Yes, professional foster carers receive additional allowances and other payments—such as Boost for extracurricular activities—to manage care costs and meet the needs of the children in their care.

  • Yes, professional foster carers are expected to engage in specialised medical and/or accredited training to meet the specific needs of the children in their care. They also participate in reflective practice, supervision, and ongoing program design and evaluation to ensure high-quality care.

  • Yes, professional foster carers must demonstrate strong cultural competency by contributing to and implementing cultural support plans for children, particularly those facilitated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. This ensures children’s cultural identities are respected and nurtured.

Contact

For any questions about becoming a professional foster carer, please contact the relevant service provider listed above.

For general enquiries about the professional foster carer pilot, please email professionalfostercarepilot@families.qld.gov.au.

Last reviewed:16 June 2026

Last modified:16 June 2026

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