Love of children inspires Ocean Grove couple to become foster carers

RACHAEL from Ocean Grove and her husband Simon became foster carers three years ago because they love children and the joy they bring.
The couple, along with their son Fletcher, have provided a number of respite, emergency and short term placements to babies and children.
“It’s been about three years now and I feel it’s one of the best things I’ve done!” Rachael said.
“We provide respite, emergency and short-term care.
“Sometimes it takes a while to earn the trust of the kids, but nothing beats that first real hug and seeing them relax, laugh and feel safe.”
Rachael, a stay at home mum, and Simon, who works full-time, find that Fletcher, 8, enjoys helping out.
“We’ve talked about how it can be sad when the children leave but he understands that we are there to help out at a time when families need our support most,” Racheal said.
“It is hard to say goodbye to the children but knowing we’ve provided a safe and loving home to give parents a chance is a really positive thing and it feels great.
“What people don’t realise is that you receive training before becoming a carer and after kids come to you, you are supported by your case manager and therapeutic practitioners who help you to work with the children to create strategies that can help them deal with their trauma.”
Rachael is sharing her story to help promote Foster Care Week (September 7-14), an annual celebration of the outstanding foster carers who provide safe, nurturing homes for vulnerable children.
This year, local foster care agency MacKillop Family Services, is calling for the Geelong community to step up and join the ranks of foster carers who support the ever-growing numbers of children in need of a safe home.
MacKillop Family Services Barwon have around 80 children in foster care each night, but the number of children who need care is rising faster than agencies can find and train people to become foster carers.
Foster carers come from all walks of life.
They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex couples; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria is that they care about creating a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their house to support vulnerable children.
Andrea Hehir, Home Based Care Coordinator for MacKillop in Geelong, is keenly aware of the struggle to attract more foster carers.
“It’s been an ongoing challenge to recruit foster carers, but we are finding it increasingly difficult to get enough people to look after the children in this area who need safe homes,” Ms Hehir said.
“When people think about children and young people who need foster care, they often see it as a problem that occurs a long way from here.
“We need more people from Geelong, the Surfcoast and the Bellarine Peninsula to open their homes and their hearts to vulnerable children in their local community.”
Ms Hehir said carers like Rachael and Simon were the backbone of the foster care system and MacKillop was grateful for the safe and loving home environment they provided to children in need. “Rachael and Simon continue to provide foster care placements sometimes at very short notice, because they are passionate about providing kids with a safe place to stay,” she said.
“However, due to the increasing need for carers, we hope to get many more locals on board to care for the children who need them most.”
An information session will be held at the MacKillop Family Services Office, 9 Helen Street, Rippleside, on Wednesday October 9 at 6.00pm.
MacKillop supports foster carers with comprehensive training, ongoing advice, respite care and a 24-hour helpline.
For further information on foster care, visit MacKillop’s website at mackillop.org.au or call 1300 791 677.