A FORMER foster carer has been charged with the sexual assault of a toddler she was raising.

The northern suburbs woman, 47, was arrested and charged by detectives from the Barossa CIB on Monday following a lengthy investigation.

She faces one count of persistent sexual exploitation of a child. It will be alleged she sexually assaulted the boy over a four-year period with the abuse allegedly starting when he was aged just two. The abuse allegedly ceased when the woman stopped fostering the child.

The shock incident is the latest involving a foster carer and follows the charging of a man in his fifties a fortnight ago in connection with the sexual abuse of a girl, 10, he was caring for.

Department For Education and Child Development deputy chief executive child safety Etienne Scheepers on Wednesday night confirmed the charged woman “has not been a foster carer since 2011’’ and the allegations “are historic in nature’’.

“The allegations have come to light after the alleged victim discussed them with their current carer, who notified Families SA which in turn notified police,’’ she said.

“Counselling and support is being provided to the alleged victim who is currently in secure family-based care. The Department is working with police in their inquiries.

“To preserve the integrity of the investigation and protect the identity of the alleged victim the information we can provide at this time is limited’’.

There are around 1,300 registered carer households made up of foster care households and kinship care households throughout the state, managed by three agencies.

Under DECD guidelines, all carers undergo a thorough application and assessment process before being approved to care for children, including a child-related employment screening by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion which is renewed every three years.

The application process includes criminal record checks for all adults living in the home, referee checks, medical checks and an assessment of the safety and lifestyle arrangements of the home.

In addition, carers are subject to an annual review which is carried out by the agency contracted to oversee the placement. Each agency review is subject to a quality assurance check carried out by Families SA to examine the carer’s placement history and care concerns.

“The vast majority of foster carers are dedicated, selfless people making a positive difference in the life of a vulnerable young person,’’ Ms Scheepers said.

“These charges are not indicative of the behaviour of foster carers in general or the system as a whole.”

The charged woman has been released on police bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 24.