Flexible Funding

carer application form

We distribute government funding to eligible families to help meet the needs of a child in their care. The flexible funding program is jointly delivered by PCA Families and OzChild, supported by a consortium of other agencies.

We have access to COVID-19 related flexible funding support.

The COVID-19 flexible funding is available to apply for things like:

Cognitive assessments, specialist appointments & related therapies
Therapy (counselling, psychology, art, play, equine etc.)
Health related costs
Costs associated with birth family contact
School related costs
Tutoring if learning gaps arise due to COVID
Extra-curricular activities (eg. Online classes during Covid-19 lockdown)

Download an application form

Complete the form and send it to

Alternatively, contact our helpline fon 03 9020 1833 Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm to find out more.

Referal & Application Forms

Am I eligible?

Your family is eligible for Flexible Funding if your child/ren is:

on a current Victorian order:
Permanent Care Order; OR
Adoption Order (if the child has special needs) AND currently receive DFFH Care Allowance; OR
Family Law Court Order AND currently receive DFFH Care Allowance: AND
more than 12 months past the granting of the Order, OR if less than 12 months there is a valid reason why the costs were not included in the DFFH Care Plan (eg new diagnosis after the Order was granted).

Please note: The DFFH care allowance normally ceases when a child is 18. Carers with children approaching 18 should contact PCA Families to discuss what Flexible Funding may be available to assist this financial transition.

How does it work?

You can only claim for the cost of the service, product, or activity that is not covered by another funding source (eg the DFFH care allowance, education and medical allowances, NDIS, Mental Health Care Plans etc., or another agency such as Kinship Care)

Applications may be approved for full or partial costs, depending on the pool of funds we can distribute.

Funds are paid directly to retailers or service providers, or if pre-approved by PCA Families, to you for costs you have incurred.

You may make more than one application.

What CAN the funding be used for?

Type of expenditure	Examples
Therapeutic needs of a child resulting from trauma or negative experiences	Counselling/psychologists/psychiatrists Equine therapy Therapists – eg art, music, other Assistance dogs
Educational support not covered by the education allowance	Tutoring Computers Supplies, uniforms Sports programs, excursions TAFE/educational courses
Health and medical needs of the child not covered by a medical allowance, Medicare, or private health insurance	Specialist assessments Specialist appointments Dental/orthodontics Speech, optical, podiatry Occupational health, physiotherapy chiropractor, reiki / acupuncture/kinesiology
Supporting and strengthening attachment to family and relationships with peers, developing skills and interests	Family therapy services Trauma informed parenting courses Sporting programs, swimming lessons Social activities Music lessons Driving lessons
Preserving contact with birth family parents, siblings, and other members	Transport of child and a carer to birth family, including accommodation Transport of birth family to child Supervision costs
Preserving cultural identity	Transport of child and a carer for return to country, including accommodation Cultural affiliation program
Respite care	Holiday programs, Child or carer away from home (specific respite programs) In home nanny Temporary domestic services such as a cleaner
Childcare costs not covered by other subsidies	After school programs Family day care
Home modifications essential for child	Disability modifications Damage from child behaviour not covered by insurance Modifications for safety of child and/or family
Essential vehicle requirements	Disability modifications Car seats Upsizing Safety
Other services essential to support the placement	Above normal estate planning costs to establish trusts for children with special needs One-off food/clothing vouchers Essential whitegoods replacement

If you are not sure the service you are seeking is eligible, please contact us on 03 9020 1833.

What CAN’T the funding be used for?

The following costs are not eligible for funding:

Legal costs related to carer behaviours. However, if legal costs directly benefit the child and support the placement such as for estate planning purposes where complexity of child needs creates exceptional costs, or planning permits are needed for home modifications etc, they are considered on a case by case basis.
Staff salaries or staff professional development costs. Carer/parent/guardian professional development costs benefitting the child (eg trauma informed parenting courses) are eligible.

How do I apply?

To apply, please complete the Carer Application form and send to Alternatively contact us on 9020 1833 and we can guide you through the process.

Before starting you will need copies of:

Child’s Statutory Court Order with court reference number in the top right-hand corner (required)

2. Your DHHS remittance slip (care allowance) from within 30 days of the date of application (required)

If you do not have a copy of your Order:

Email Melbourne Registry at to request a copy, include your full name, child/ren’s names and date of birth;

Email to request PCA Families to seek the copy on your behalf. Include in your email your full name, contact number and child/ren’s names and date of birth.

Please attach any other information that may be relevant:

Quotes or invoices for the requested goods and services
supporting letters or reports from a relevant professional
information regarding other funding you have received or been refused, relevant to the application

A staff member will contact you to discuss the application once we receive it. You may be asked to provide more information, or we may identify other services for which you could apply.

We will notify you once your application has been fully or partially approved. If your application is rejected, we will contact you to explain why.

How do I provide feedback or request a review of a decision?

Feedback

We welcome all feedback, whether positive or negative, to help us improve our services to you. Informal feedback, including complaints, regarding the delivery of the Flexible Funding Program should be directed to Complaints will be considered by the PCA Families CEO and a written response provided.

Grievances

Grievances relating to the Flexible Funding Program are complaints that are unable to be resolved through less formal means, arising from a decision, act or omission by any person or persons within PCA Families or the Flexifunding Alliance, which is considered by the complainant to be wrong, mistaken, unjust or discriminatory. Grievances follow the PCA Families Grievance Policy. Please email or if the CEO is involved,

Review of Flexible Funding Application Decision

If your application for Flexible Funding has been rejected, or partially rejected, and you feel that the original decision was wrong, mistaken, unjust or discriminatory, the procedure below is followed.

Urgent financial support

Some of the ways families have told us that flexible funding has supported them

Helped my child build confidence and self-esteem
Helped my child build personal and interpersonal skills
Helped my child access support services so he/she can be happy and healthy
Helped improve interpersonal dynamics within our family
Helped improve my family’s understanding of the impact of trauma on children
Provided my child with opportunities to have fun, engage more effectively at school, develop and learn
Allowed my child to try new things and pursue their goals
Allowed my child to connect with peers and make new or strengthen existing friendships
Helped improve my child’s ability to manage what comes his/her way and be resilient
Helped my child to prepare for life after school
Helped my child relate to other family members and maintain contact with biological family
Helped me to build my relationship with my child
Helped me to manage what comes my way and stay resilient
Reduced financial and family stress, making things easier and more doable at home
Helped my child develop water safety and swimming skills
Enabled child to participate in team or other sports
Allowed child to participate in cultural or fun activities.

‘‘I am so blown away with the support that is there for not just my family but for other families that are permanent carers or adoptive parents. The staff have been amazing and it is so good to know that there is not only financial support but support for the carers, someone to talk to and someone to let you know what you can do for our beautiful grandchildren.’’

Privacy

PCA Families will seek consent from you to contact a third party about your circumstances unless there is an immediate risk of harm identified for a child, young person or another person. Any client information used for PCA Families reports will be de-identified to protect the identity of children and families.

Flexible Funding

Some of the ways families have told us that flexible funding has supported them

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