Caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or Refugee Children in Foster Care

Cultural continuity is crucial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children of refugee backgrounds who cannot live with their birth parents or family members. Ideally, these children would be placed with foster carers who share their cultural background; however, often this is not possible. Understanding the experiences of foster carers who are not from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or refugee backgrounds, and who provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children of refugee backgrounds, is important. In this article we report on interviews with 15 Australian foster carers about their experiences. Thematic analysis resulted in the development of three themes: (1) Carers navigating children’s cultural identifications, (2) Carers giving consideration to the cultural needs of children, and (3) Carers independently navigating cultural safety for the children in their care. We conclude by exploring how foster care agencies and statutory bodies may better support foster carers who are not from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or refugee backgrounds, but who provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children of refugee backgrounds.IMPLICATIONS Training and support for foster carers who are not Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or from refugee backgrounds, and who provide care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children of refugee backgrounds, is vital.In the absence of culturally matched placements, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children of refugee backgrounds deserve culturally safe care.