Professional Foster Care Program Pilot – Phase 1

### 📋 Tender Overview The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety (DFSDSCS) is inviting quotes for the **Professional Foster Care Program Pilot – Phase 1**. This high-value initiative (estimated over $3M) aims to establish a specialized family-based care model in Queensland as a viable alternative to residential care for children and young people with complex needs. ### 🎯 Key Requirements & Scope The pilot focuses on children with significant disabilities, including neurodiversity (Autism, ADHD, FASD), intellectual disabilities, and trauma-related behaviors. Service providers will be responsible for: * **Recruitment:** Identifying and onboarding up to 100 Professional Foster Carers (PFCs) by January 2028. * **Training & Support:** Providing specialized therapeutic and disability-specific training to carers. * **Transition Management:** Facilitating the move of children from residential care into stable family environments. ### 📍 Location & Target Regions The pilot will be implemented across two primary Queensland regions: * **South East Queensland:** Including Brisbane and Moreton Bay. * **North Queensland:** Specifically Townsville-based Child Safety Service Centres. ### 🏆 Desired Outcomes The primary goal is to build capacity within the Queensland foster care system, reducing reliance on residential models. By establishing a new pathway for carer recruitment and support, the department seeks to ensure that children with co-occurring disabilities and complex emotional needs are safe, empowered, and thriving within a family-based setting. ### 🔍 Search Keywords Professional Foster Care, Out of Home Care (OOHC), Disability Services, Child Safety Queensland, Therapeutic Care, Foster Carer Recruitment, Residential Care Alternative, Community and Social Services.