- RELATED: Creating a brighter future for children
- RELATED: A rewarding experience
THOSE who take up foster caring are supported throughout their journey.
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Across the Warrnambool City Council, Moyne, Corangamite, Southern Grampians and Glenelg Shire regions, there are about 63 foster carers, about 40 active, but more are needed.
Brophy Foster Care senior practitioner Rebecca Gilmore said it took a village to raise a child.
Every foster child has a team of professionals as well as their primary carers wrapped around them.
“That includes birth parents and other significant family, which could be nan and pop, to ensure all the child’s needs are met, until hopefully we can get them returned to family,” she said.
Recruitment trainer and assessment worker Madelynn Crimmin said foster caring was incredibly flexible.
“It’s important to highlight to people considering foster care, you can choose what best suits you,” Ms Crimmin said.
Some people may only do respite care one weekend a month while other carers take on a child or adolescent long-term.
Ms Crimmin said carers could nominate an age range for children they would like to look after.
“Age preference can change at any time as well,” she said.
“It’s everybody’s choice. Once you are a carer you might ring us and say you need six months break. That’s no worries. It’s very flexible.”
Carers are under no obligation to take on children at any time.
Terang’s Jenny Hill said potential foster carers needed to be aware of the flexibility and support available to them.
“You don’t have to have a child full-time, long-term,” she said.
A wide range of support is available for carers.
“We are here to support children in foster care, but we are here to support carers as well,” Ms Gilmore said.
“The support never ends when you become a carer, if anything it increases. There is phone support available. You can ring us and sit there and have a chat for an hour if you have had a crumby day. Watching the inclusive nature of the carers, the child becoming part of the household and seeing small steps towards improvement is always really nice to be apart of.”
An after hours call service is also available as well as regular training opportunities and celebration days.
Tarrone foster carer Marlene Johnson said support had increased over the past 20 years.
“There are many more services available,” she said. “If the children need a speech therapist or a psychologist they are available, where as 20 years ago you had to beg for those things. There is a lot more interaction with schools and staff who are willing to implement things.”