At NBAC, our mission is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the foster care system and help them break the cycle of disadvantage.
Central to this mission is a commitment to placing the children and young people in care situations that support their identity and self-esteem, so they can experience improved physical, social, emotional and educational wellbeing.
As an Aboriginal-managed agency with Aboriginal caseworkers and staff, NBAC offers is able to offer a culturally sensitive foster care program that promotes the cultural identity and safety of Aboriginal children in our care.
If you’re interested in transferring to NBAC, download our Care Transfer Kit.
The importance of Aboriginal-managed foster care agencies
Culturally appropriate support and guidance from an Aboriginal service, caseworker and management team are vital for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.
As such, the NSW Government is working, over time, to move all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care to Aboriginal-managed agencies to advance Aboriginal self-management and the self-determination of Aboriginal people.
This transition is an important step in providing better outcomes for vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people.
Having Aboriginal children case-managed by Aboriginal agencies empowers Aboriginal communities to make decisions and provide services that meet the best interests of their children – now and in the future.
The choice of agency is up to you, the child’s carer, and we at NBAC believe in the power of self-determination for our people.
Why choose NBAC?
NBAC has been servicing the Greater Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains region for 11 years.
All the team members at NBAC are Aboriginal, including caseworkers, managers and board members, and we are passionate about providing support and quality care to both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care and their carers.
Our Foster Care Program provides the highest standard of family-based care, best-practice casework and specialist support services to create the best outcomes for each child.
We like to think of foster families as part of a larger NBAC foster family, where we all work together, promoting a sense of belonging and community. We provide all our foster carers with:
- Ongoing training – first aid, behaviour management and trauma-informed training
- Respite care – scheduled or sporadic care for those children in your care, should you need it
- Carer reviews – follow up and feedback from training
- 24/7 caseworker support and advocacy – including the NBAC Foster Care Support Group.
What does it mean for carers?
The benefits of transferring to NBAC far outweigh the minor hassle. We work to make the process as seamless as possible, with minimal disruption to you or the children in your care.
You will not have to take part in a full assessment process, just a review of your original assessment, which generally takes about an hour.
You will simply need to fill in an application form and a consent to transfer form, and provide an updated medical check.
The team at NBAC will work in the background to commence updated police and community services checks for your household. All you will need to do is provide a copy of your photo identification.
We uphold all of the agreements made in the current care plan and you will retain all services, plans and supports that are already in place for the children, such as medical or educational assistance.
A transfer does not involve any changes to foster care payments or any other services payments that have been agreed upon in your child’s case plan, such as childcare (minus CCS) or other treatments. Our payments also fall on the same week as you are currently receiving, so there is no financial disruption.
Our recruitment team will complete the rest of the work for the transfer. Once the transfer to NBAC is approved, we will hold a transfer meeting with your team from DCJ. From then on you will receive monthly home visits from your allocated Caseworker, 24/7 on-call support and additional support from the Casework Assistant Team.
NBAC
At Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC), we provide the highest standard of foster care support through family-based care, best-practice casework and specialist support services. We are committed to helping all our foster carers by providing tools and skills to support them and the children in their care.
Our Aboriginal foster care program supports our children in the foster care system and helps break the cycle of disadvantage with improved physical, social, emotional and educational wellbeing.
If you’d like to hear more, contact our team today.
Our Foster Care Stories
Sharing the stories of our foster carers allows us to tell you about the real impact our community has. The patience, compassion and perseverance of our carers are truly inspiring, and show how we can bring tangible and positive change to the lives of children and young people in our care.
Magic moments:
Bree and Justin
With three adult children of their own, Bree and Justin felt like they had more to give as parents. Raising their own biological children was just the start. By becoming foster carers they committed to helping as many children as they could.
Read more
An extended family
Julie and Dean
Becoming foster carers had been on Julie and Dean’s mind for some time, but life had always got in the way. When they were in their 50s, they decided that it was the right time to open their home and provide a safe environment to kids who needed it.
Read more
A carer by nature
Dianna
At a crossroads in her life, Dianna was deciding what to do next when her friend suggested she become a foster carer as she had always been such a wonderful mother. This simple conversation gave her the courage to become a foster carer.
Read more
Penrith NSW 2750
Penrith NSW 2750
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work, and those throughout all of Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture, and pay our respects to our Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
CONTACT NBAC
We love hearing from our community, so if you’re interested in finding out more about our services or how you can get involved, contact NBAC.
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