| Ever since 1938, child maltreatment in Australia has | | | | Foster care provides short-term accommodation for |
| been on an alarming rise. The "care for youth and | | | | children. The parents of these children are incapable |
| families" is an initiative by the government of | | | | to provide them adequate parenting owing to illness |
| Australia to address all issues pertaining to a child's | | | | or any such crisis. |
| rehabilitation. Adoption and foster care are steps | | | | Foster care adoption also seeks for requisite aid and |
| ahead in that direction. | | | | intervention from government agencies. It ensures |
| Adopting a child | | | | their reunion with their birth parents once they turn |
| A child who has been adopted shares an equal | | | | 18. |
| status-quo, as any of your other children in the | | | | Differences between foster care and formal adoption |
| family. He bears your last name. He is relinquished | | | | Foster care is just a short-term alternative to |
| control from any social agencies. It is you who makes | | | | adoption, or more aptly, a precursor to formal |
| all decisions relating to his schooling, medical care and | | | | adoption. Once the foster period concludes, the child |
| or religious practices. Not only are you deemed | | | | is generally reunited with his or her biological parents. |
| financially responsible to him, but also liable for his | | | | In exceptional circumstances, the State may rule for |
| actions in legal matters. | | | | a permanent adoption by the foster parents, if they |
| Foster care adoption | | | | plea so. |