Eligibility of Department and volunteer non-government agency foster carers
All approved Department carers, non-government placement agency foster carers who provide volunteer care in their own home, foster carers with 'Group Home Carer' status, and any person permanently residing with the foster carer or foster carer with 'Group Home Carer' status has insurance cover provided by Communities with RiskCover.
The cover includes any event that has resulted from specific incidents (defined events) caused by the actions of a child in the CEO's care placed by Department. General wear and tear is defined as damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal use or aging, and is not included as part of this cover.
The RiskCover policy excludes non-government placement agencies where foster carers are in a paid arrangement to care for children in the CEO’s care.
Non-government placement agencies that provide 'fee for service' care arrangements need to contact the Department's Client Support Services on 9222 2555 to determine eligibility.
Property
Includes property of every description (excluding motor vehicles and their accessories) owned by or in the care, custody and control of the foster carer that is lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family. This does not include property of the non-government organisation.
General liability
Includes the legal liability of the foster carer as a result of an occurrence caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family.
Professional liability
Includes any claim made against the foster carer arising from any negligent act, error or omission committed or alleged to have been committed in respect of a child in the CEO’s care whilst the child is placed with the foster carer and notified to RiskCover.
Motor vehicles
Includes motor vehicles and their accessories owned by, or in the care, custody or control of the foster carer, lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family.
This includes the legal liability of the foster carer as a result of an accident arising out of the use of the motor vehicle and caused by the child or child’s natural family.
Personal accident
Includes any bodily injury sustained by a foster carer that resulted directly from caring for a child in the CEO’s care whilst the child was placed with them.
This includes illness directly resulting from medical or surgical treatment rendered necessary by the injury within twelve calendar months from the date of the accident when the bodily injury occurred.
This does not include injury to any staff of the agency.