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.

Home » Families and young people » Foster caring

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.

Foster, relative and kinship carers card

Last Updated Mar 2011

Foster Carers Card sample Since 30 March 2008 foster, relative and kinship carers have been issued with an identification card.

Carers can use the identification card to prove their status as registered carers. They may present their card in conjunction with photo identification and their child’s verification of child in care form to demonstrate their relationship to the child or young person in their care.

Where can I use my identification card?

You can show your card to staff at hospitals, community health services (such as CAMHS), SA Dental Service, doctors, pharmacists, schools, kindergartens and child care centres to show that you are a foster, relative or kinship carer.

When you present your identification card, you will need to present a signed Verification of a Child in Care form and your photo identification (drivers licence, proof of age card or student ID).

What is the Verification of Child in Care form?

This form is signed by the local office supervisor and it contains important information about the children or young people in your care such as type of order, expiry date of the order and Medicare and health care card numbers (if known). Your child’s case worker should provide you with one completed form for each of the children or young people placed in your care.

If you need Verification of Child in Care forms for the children or young people in your care, please contact your child’s case worker.

I don’t have a current driver’s licence or a student ID card.

Service SA can provide you with photo identification for a fee of $21.
This fee will be reimbursed to you. Contact your child’s caseworker for more details on how to claim reimbursement.

Can I use my card to get discounts from businesses?

Some individual businesses may provide discounts to foster carers. However, there is no official discount program in operation.

My partner/mother/brother/sister/other relative often helps me look after the children and young people in my care, but they haven’t received a card. Can they have one?

If the person is a registered carer they are entitled to receive an identification card, as long as they are not currently under care concern or special investigation. If someone in your family requires a card, please contact Families SA Foster Care Services on 1300 2367 837.

I am currently under care concern or special investigation. Can I still use my card?

A care concern or special investigation can be a difficult time in a carer’s life. If you are still caring for children and young people, then you can continue to use the card. If you no longer have any children or young people in your care, you should return the card to us.

If you are experiencing difficulties during this time and need someone to talk to, you can phone Connecting Foster Carers - SA (CFC-SA) on 1800 732 272 or Families SA Foster Carer Liason Officer on 1300 134 043.

I have lost my card. What should I do?

Please contact Families SA Foster Care Services on 1300 2367 837 to arrange a replacement card. If you experience difficulties accessing services without the card please contact Families SA Foster Care Services on 1300 2367 837 for assistance.

Need more information about the card?

You can contact your child’s case worker, your placement support worker or Families SA Foster Care Services on 1300 2367 837. For help or support with being a carer, you can contact Connecting Foster Carers SA on 1800 732 272.