Foster care
Do kids have to stay with the foster family forever?
Everybody hopes that kids won't have to stay in foster care until they are an adult and that they can go home to their own family. But first some changes need to be made!
The Government tries to return kids home when it is safe for them to be there. Sometimes, this is only a few weeks or months and sometimes it is longer.
Before kids can go back home, their parents need to show that they have fixed the problems that they had and are able to take good care of their kids and keep them safe. A case worker will try to help parents learn new ways of looking after kids and managing their home.
Unfortunately, there are times when it doesn't work out, and problems are too big to be fixed. When this happens, kids stay in foster care until they are 18 years old, and are able to look after themselves.