Mr Buck, 30, an assistant coach at the Koroit Football Netball Club, said he had been apprehensive about the time the role would require, but was surprised at how easily it had mixed with the rest of his life.

He was encouraged to undertake foster care training by his partner, Rachael Lenehan, who had seen the benefits of foster care provided by members of her extended family.

Ms Lenehan, 27, said both her and Mr Buck saw the need for foster care through their work as teachers.

The couple have been foster carers for about 12 months, offering respite and emergency care that has ranged from one night to a few weeks.

They have cared for children from six months old to 17-year-olds.

Mr Buck said the role principally involved providing a stable environment for their charges.

The couple spoke about their roles to promote this week’s Foster Care Week and to encourage others to consider taking on the job.

Brophy Family and Youth Services foster care recruitment officer Adele McKenzie said the role did not have to be a full-time commitment.

“Foster carers can choose to provide respite care, emergency care, short-term or long-term care depending on what best suits their lifestyle and commitments,” Ms McKenzie said.

She said foster carers came from all walks of life and could be individuals, couples or part of a family.

“They can work full-time, part-time or not at all,” Ms McKenzie said.

Brophy will host a “coffee and chat” in the Kulcha Shift Community Café at Brophy’s Timor Street centre from noon to 2pm tomorrow for people interested in becoming a foster carer.

A barbecue run at Bunnings Warrnambool store last Sunday also raised awareness about foster care and $1200 for children and young people in out-of-home care.

Foster care is also provided in the south-west through MacKillop Family Services.