Local foster care agency MacKillop Family Services is calling out to people and families in the Geelong region to open their hearts and homes to children in need of support.
Geelong foster carer Rachel Buck and her husband Matt, who have three children of their own, have been caring for children unable to live in their own homes for the past eight years.
Rachel said foster caring had been hugely rewarding for her and her family.
“Being able to give children the security of a loving, safe and happy environment is the most rewarding feeling,” she said.
“And it’s been amazing for our boys. They’re really grateful, really good at sharing. They’re just really kind people, which is how you want your kids to grow up.”
Rachel said a common misconception held by many people was that foster caring needed to be a huge commitment.
“You can be as flexible as you like; you might just be able to do one weekend a month for respite,” she said.
“There are so many different types of foster care you can do, and you can really make it suit your lifestyle.
“Matt and I, we’re both pretty good at saying, actually, we need a break at the moment. We need a reset, and then we’ll get back into it after that.”
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in applications for new foster carers at a time when nearly 48,000 children are living in out-of-home care in Australia.
MacKillop’s carer recruitment manager for Victoria, Tania Ferris, said foster carers came from many different backgrounds; married, single, in same sex relationships, working or retired.
“One of our biggest challenges is that people think you must be superhuman to be a foster carer,” Ms Ferris said.
“Although we think they are the most amazing people in the world, unfailingly they tell us that they are just ordinary people who want to help vulnerable young people, and they have put their hand up to help when they saw a need.”
Rachel said MacKillop offered fantastic support to foster carers.
“It’s amazing; for emotional support there’s a 24-hour phone line,” she said.
“But the main thing for us is their help with logistics, helping with school pick-ups or drop-offs, or after-school care to make it fit with whatever your commitments might be.”
For more information on becoming a foster carer, visit mackillop.org.au or call 1300 791 677.
