Children in Care Initiative

The following activities are eligible for funding under the children in care sport and recreation initiative:

• the provision of uniforms for children in care who participate in sport and recreation activity during the life of the funding program;

• the provision of equipment that is essential and/or compulsory for participating in an activity - such as hockey sticks, swimming caps, football boots and mouth guards;
• participation in all sport and recreation activity by children in care including scouts, guides and cadets; and
• participation in swimming lessons by all children in care, with no restriction to the number of lessons as long as it is within the $300 funding limit.

About the Program

This initiative recognises that participation in sport and recreation teaches important values and life skills including self confidence, teamwork, communication, inclusion, discipline, respect and fair play - especially important for children in care who can be vulnerable and struggle to find their way in an increasingly complex society.

Funding is capped at $300 per child in care. It may be applied to the payment of:

• club registration fees;
• physical activity or sporting event participation such as fun run or triathlon entry, Gymboree sessions or swimming lessons, surfing, scuba diving, bushwalking, scouts, guides and cadets; and
• uniforms for children in care who participate in sport and recreation activity during the life of the funding program.

This funding initiative recognises the true costs of caring and aims to give children in care more opportunities to lead active, healthy and happier lives.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Foster and kinship carers, on behalf of (current) children in out-of-home care.

Funding Criteria

• Funding is available to foster and kinship carers for (current) children in out-of-home care, prioritising those with an identified disability.
• Funding to be capped at $300 per child in care.
• Foster and kinship carers will be reimbursed for payment of uniforms (relevant to the child's participation in a sport and recreation activity during the life of the funding program), registration fees or one-off physical activity/sporting event or recreational activity e.g. fun run or triathlon competition entry fee. View What is recreation? for a definition of eligible recreational activities.
• Reimbursement (i.e. payment) will not be made directly to suppliers.
• Children under five - who are less likely to engage in formal sporting competition - will also be eligible for funding for activities such as Gymboree ('play and learn', sport or family Gymboree sessions only), dance lessons or other periodic activity. There is no restriction to the number of lessons/sessions as long as it is within the $300 funding limit.
• The purchase of general equipment is NOT eligible under this initiative. Eligible equipment includes equipment that is essential and/or compulsory for participating in an activity - such as hockey sticks, swimming caps, football boots and mouth guards. To check whether your child/children are eligible for funding assistance for the purchase of equipment through your fortnightly caring allowance equipment (e.g. for children who have demonstrated talent or ability or have medically endorsed therapeutic needs and recreation costs), please contact your local Child Safety Service Centre.
• Travel costs to and from sporting competitions are NOT eligible under this initiative. To find out more information on financial assistance for travel and accommodation at sporting championships see the Young Athlete Assistance Program.

* The Department of Communities allocates $300,000 funding per year to help children in care participate in sport and recreational activities. It is anticipated there will be a high demand for funding under this initiative and, although a project may meet the assessment criteria, approval will depend on available funds, the number of applications and initiative priorities.

Submitting an Application

Administration of the funding initiative will be undertaken by Child Safety Services. Your local Child Safety Services officer can provide you with information on the funding program and guide you through the application process. To find your nearest Child Safety Services Centre, contact Department of Communities, Child Safety Services, on 1800 811 810 or visit the Child Safety website.

Further Information

For more information on this funding initiative, or for guidance through the application process, please contact your local Child Safety Services Centres.

Information about the range of sporting clubs and recreational programs and opportunities available in your community may be obtained by contacting Sport and Recreation Services on 1300 656 191.