A practical, evidence-informed toolkit designed to strengthen carer recruitment, retention and stability
Queensland’s foster care system is facing increasing pressure. Carer numbers are declining, experienced carers are leaving, and the needs of children and young people in out-of-home care are becoming more complex. Agencies are being asked to do more with less, while ensuring cultural safety, placement stability and high-quality support.
The Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Toolkit was developed to help agencies respond to those challenges with confidence. It provides a practical, region-specific suite of tools that strengthen both recruitment and retention, recognising that retention is the most effective and sustainable form of recruitment.
Grounded in evidence, lived experience and deep sector knowledge, the toolkit supports agencies to build a stable, diverse and culturally safe carer pool that can meet the needs of children and young people now and into the future.
Why This Toolkit Matters
Retention-led recruitment is a child protection strategy
Every placement decision shapes a child’s safety, stability and wellbeing. Retaining skilled, committed carers reduces placement disruptions, strengthens attachment and improves outcomes.
Carer turnover is rising
New carers are leaving within their first 12 months at alarming rates, and experienced carers, those most able to support complex placements, are becoming harder to retain.
Demand is outpacing supply
The sector is increasingly reliant on residential care, with fewer culturally matched and specialist placements available.
Carers recruit carers
Supported carers become advocates. Unsupported carers become exit interviews. Retention drives reputation, trust and community engagement.
The toolkit helps agencies shift from reactive recruitment campaigns to sustainable, data-informed strategies that strengthen both attraction and retention.
What The Toolkit Includes
The toolkit is tailored to each organisation and region. While every version is unique, it typically includes:
Local Gaps Analysis
A detailed assessment of local OOHC trends, carer demographics, placement needs, cultural considerations and recruitment/retention patterns.
Carer Capability Mapping
Tools to align carer strengths, skills and preferences with placement demands, improving matching, stability and satisfaction.
Practice Tools and Templates
Resources that support consistent, transparent, and supportive processes from first enquiry through to ongoing support.
Recruitment and Retention Action Plan
A co-designed plan that sets clear priorities, targets and timelines, grounded in evidence and local context.
Feedback and Exit Interview Templates
Practical tools to capture carer voice, identify risks early and support continuous improvement.
Messaging and Engagement Tools
Culturally responsive, child-centred messaging that supports attraction, onboarding and community engagement.
All tools are designed to be practical, flexible and easy to embed, supporting real-world practice, not just compliance.
Impact
Agencies using retention-led recruitment approaches have strengthened:
- carer retention and satisfaction
- culturally matched placements
- recruitment conversion rates
- placement stability
- carer capability and confidence
- alignment with the Child Safe Standards
- community trust and engagement
The toolkit supports measurable improvements in outcomes for children and young people.
Let’s Talk
If you would like to explore how the Foster Care Recruitment and Retention Toolkit could support your organisation, we would love to connect.