Foster Carer Longitudinal Study Interim Report for Wave 2

This interim Wave 2 report from the Foster Carer Longitudinal Study explores the health, wellbeing, and trauma-informed practice of 130 foster and kinship carers across Australia. Findings show that while 79% of carers intend to continue fostering, their overall wellbeing is notably low, with a Personal Wellbeing Index score of 65 compared to the national average of 75. Carers demonstrated strong trauma knowledge, averaging 84 out of 100 with two‑thirds completing more than 16 hours of training, often self‑initiated. The report also identifies instability in support systems, with 59% of carers experiencing a change in caseworker within six months. A key insight emerging from the study is the positive association between trauma practice capability and personal wellbeing, though qualitative feedback highlights that many carers feel compelled to seek essential training independently due to limited structured support from agencies.