Calling out for foster carers

Foster carers across the country are putting their support behind MacKillop Family Services’ ‘Call Out for Carers’ this Foster Care Week.

Battling the ongoing decline in foster carer numbers, MacKillop is urging the community to better understand the role of foster carers, the impact they have on their community, and the support that’s available.

Carlton AFLW coach Matt Buck and wife Rachael, a school principal, have been carers with MacKillop for eight years and are lending their voices to the initiative.

The Geelong couple has provided respite and emergency care to more than 100 children and young people.

With three children of their own, Matt and Rachael said foster care had a positive impact on the whole family.

“Being able to give children the security of a loving, safe and happy environment is the most rewarding feeling,” Rachael said.

“Providing support to kids when they need it most and watching them relax and grow in trust is very special.

“Our boys are growing up with empathy. They understand that children have different experiences in life, and I’m proud about how good they are at sharing and being inclusive.”

MacKillop Family Services chief executive officer Dr Robyn Miller believes many people in the community do not realise they could make a difference to a vulnerable child’s life.

“Factors such as economic pressures or changing demography, where people have children later in life, are impacting the available pool of carers,” she said.

“We know that the best place for children is in loving family homes; it’s getting increasingly difficult to provide those homes. This is a challenge across the sector.

“As a sector, we are looking at all the ways we can support carers to sustain those already opening their homes, and encourage others to do the same.

“Listening to our existing carers and providing the support they need is critical to ensuring they can continue to provide the loving care that is so desperately needed.”

Dr Miller said the foster care community continually needed new carers coming onboard, and that all members of the community and family structures were encouraged to apply.

“Foster carers come from all different walks of life and can be single or married, in same sex relationships, working or retired.

“We’re calling for ordinary people to consider if foster care could be part of their life as they may be able to help provide that stability and support.”

More than 2,000 MacKillop staff from sites across the country will be in towns, cities and rural communities during Foster Care Week (September 8 to September 14) to encourage the community to think about becoming foster carers.

“We’ll be delivering postcards and leaflets to letterboxes, putting up posters in gyms, supermarkets and throughout all our networks,” Dr Miller said.

“There is a critical shortage of carers, and we commit as an organisation to keeping the issue front and foremost while trying to reach good people who could become fantastic foster carers.”

To learn more about foster care, head to mackillop.org.au/theirstory or phone 1300 791 677.