One to one program for young people which operates for difficult to place youths for a period of up to six months. There are no private agencies in country areas. Before children enter foster care, Family and Children's Services and other family support agencies work with families to help them where possible to remain together. This help may include counselling, in house help and parenting assistance, budgeting assistance and emergency accommodation. Sometimes these services are enough to keep a family together during a crisis and prevent children from entering care.
Every family needs outside help at some stage.
No family can live in isolation and all families depend on others for support. Some people find themselves without family, neighbours, friends or finances to pay for help during a particular crisis at a particular time. Family and Children's Services and other family support agencies are there to help families in these situations. If parents are not able to adequately care for their children at home for a period of time, and support from relatives or friends is not available, one option is for the children to be looked after in foster care. This is arranged by either Family and Children's Services or other family support agencies.