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Contacts

Families SA

Last Updated May 2011

Level 7, 108 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
General enquiries: 8124 4185
Customer information: 8226 6735
Customer service helpline: 8226 6930 or 1800 003 305
Foster carers helpline: 1300 134 043
Email: customer.families@dfc.sa.gov.au
This email address should not be used to report child abuse and neglect.  To report child abuse and neglect, ring the Child Abuse Report Line on 131 478.  This is a 24 hour service.  For more information see Protecting children.

Links
Home » Families and young people » Children in care
The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) is now the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). Families SA, including the child protection and family support functions, is now part of the new Department for Education and Child Development. Youth Justice remains with DCSI and the Department now includes  Multicultural SA, Northern Connections, Office for the Southern Suburbs, Office for Volunteers, Office for Women, Office for Youth and Social Inclusion. Contact details for these offices are available on the Contacts page.

The department is currently reviewing its online information and updates are in progress. Departmental information can still be found using the search function on this site. For more information about South Australian government services please visit www.sa.gov.au.

 

Types of alternative care

Last Updated Mar 2011

When your Mum or Dad cannot look after you, Families SA will find somewhere else for you to live.

This is not your fault. You have a right to feel safe and supported, and there are people who care and want to make it better.

Whenever we can, we try to find a relative or someone you know to take care of you. This type of care is called Relative or Kinship Care.

If that is not possible we will try to find someone else to care for you. This is called Foster Care.

Foster carers are kind and caring people who want to help you.  They will make a home for you in their home. Foster families often become another family for you. This does not mean that your birth family doesn’t matter any more.  It is OK to care about both.

Some kids will go to live in a group home for a while. This is called Residential Care.

Residential care is a group home where residential care workers look after a small group of kids. You might be placed in a Residential Care home because we cannot find another carer for you, so that you and your brothers and sisters can be together, or so that you can receive special help.