Foster Care Queensland

F.A.S.T.
Foster Carer Advocacy and Support Team

FAST is a team of specially trained local foster carers who have volunteered to provide support and advice and advocate on behalf of other foster carers.

Background

Foster Care Queensland (FCQ) receives funding from the Department of Child Safety to provide advocacy and support to foster carers. The demand for assistance has rapidly increased over the past few years as knowledge of the organisation and it’s services have become better known through the alternative care sector. To provide greater levels of support and advocacy for foster carers and in keeping with the results of a national survey which indicated that foster carers would prefer to be supported by foster carer peak bodies and other foster carers, FCQ established the Foster care Advocacy and Support Team (FAST) in early 2002.

What is FAST?

FAST is a team of specially trained local foster carers who have volunteered to provide support and advice and advocate on behalf of other foster carers.

There is a FAST delegate for each area office. In some areas more than one FAST delegate has been selected.

The FAST delegate provides a local avenue for foster carers to receive advice, support and/or advocacy on individual matters.

How were the FAST delegates appointed?

Nominations for FAST delegates are advertised periodically in the Foster Care Reporter, along with a copy of a job description and a nomination form. Nominations are required to be supported by two FCQ members. Final selection is made by the FCQ Management Committee. FAST delegates hold their position for a period of two years. Renominations are sought as per the above process every two years.

Who supports the FAST delegates?

Careful consideration has been made to the developmental and support needs of the FAST delegates.

  • Training  - Twelve modules of in-depth information and skills training have been written to consolidate and extend on the current skills and knowledge of all FAST delegates.
     
  • CO-ORDINATION - An experienced co-ordinator is available to debrief FAST delegates as required, provide advice and assistance and take on more complex cases referred by the FAST delegate. Regular telelink arrangements and email groups have been established to enable to support and contact among delegates. FAST delegates receive a regular newsletter updating them with information

Who is my FAST Delegate?

A list of FAST delegates, along with their contact details, is maintained on this website.

You can also find your nearest FAST delegate by contacting Foster Care Queensland.