The vital role of foster carers is in the spotlight this Foster Care Week.
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ArtMarie
With foster carers in high demand around Australia, the importance of carers to the foster system is the focus of this year’s Foster Care Week.
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This year's theme, ‘Time to Care’, celebrates carers who have opened their homes and hearts to kids in need.
Echuca locals Krystal Lee and her husband answered the call to become foster carers through Anglicare Victoria around four months ago.
In a short amount of time, Mrs Lee said the experience of being a foster carer had gone well beyond her expectations.
“It is so much more than you expect, which is really funny because I don’t think you can put an expectation on it and yet still, it goes beyond that. It’s been so much fun, and a really rewarding experience,” she said.
“There’s a really lovely feeling about opening up your home to someone who needs it, and providing a warm and inviting space for them to feel safe.
“Having someone new come into your life, and getting to know each other, there’s a real vulnerability to fostering that I enjoy.”
Becoming foster parents was a decision that Mrs Lee and her husband considered for a long time before beginning the process.
The process included a range of training sessions that prepared carers for the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of being a foster carer.
Once carers become accredited, Anglicare offers additional support through continuous training.
Being a carer is a vital role in the foster system and so police checks, medical checks and questionnaires are also undertaken to ensure children are in a suitable environment.
On average, it takes about six months to become an accredited foster carer; however, this can be different for everyone, depending on their situation.
As of June 2024, there were more than 45,000 children living in out-of-home care, including foster care, and only 7980 foster carer households across the state. Photo: Supplied.
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PeopleImages
Like many carers, Mrs Lee said their main concern was whether they could be good carers, especially when they didn’t have children of their own.
“We had doubts over whether we were suitable foster parents,” she said.
“We don't have children of our own so we questioned whether we would be accepted or whether we needed that experience.
“One thing that I learned during the training is that it takes all kinds of people with different backgrounds and resources ... a wide range of people are needed as foster carers to suit the wide range of kids in need.
“Once you start the process, you learn that it’s a very open and welcoming space. I would really encourage people to explore becoming foster carers, it’s a beautiful, life-changing experience and there are so many kids in need of somewhere to stay”
As of June 2024, there were more than 45,000 children living in out-of-home care, including foster care, and only 7980 foster carer households across the state.
Over the past decade, the number of foster carer households has fallen by 20 per cent, even as the demand for foster homes continues to grow.
With the need for foster carers and homes on the rise, Australians are encouraged this Foster Care Week to consider if now is their time to care.
To inquire about becoming a foster carer through Anglicare, visit tinyurl.com/kxktkeve
To attend a free information session about becoming a foster carer, visit tinyurl.com/4za5mmej
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