Adelaide student Jess knows firsthand the transformative power of foster care in a safe and loving home. “They provide so much love and support,” she says of her carers, “and they go into that role probably not realising how much they can change a child’s life”.
Jess, who spent several years in care as a teenager, found an overwhelmingly positive experience with the foster and kinship carers who looked after her. They gave her the stability and encouragement that allowed her to “simply be a child,” thrive in school, and build lasting friendships.
“It was their encouragement and having an adult to believe in you and to encourage you along your way,” Jess says. She’s now at university, studying neuropsychology and business marketing, and is telling her story to show how important the role of good foster carers can be in the lives of vulnerable young people.
Foster the feeling: SA’s urgent need for more carers
Inspired by stories like Jess’s, the South Australian Government has launched the “Foster the feeling” campaign, urging more people to consider opening their hearts and homes to children by becoming carers. With about 4800 children in the care system, the need for short-term, respite, emergency and long-term carers is more pressing than ever.
Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray says the reasons children come into contact with the child protection and family support system are “varied, complex and heartbreaking”, but what almost all of them have in common is the need for a safe and supportive family-based environment. This is what good foster carers can provide.
The state has about 2700 carer households, including foster and kinship carers. Jackie says while the challenges and complexities carers face can be immense, they also find the role very rewarding. Many develop “a special bond with the children they care for and see them develop and progress towards their goals,” she says. You can get to know more about our state’s thousands of diverse foster carers here.
Margie and Gary: 300 children and counting
Yorke Peninsula couple Margie and Gary, who recently retired after 30 years of providing short-term and respite foster care, have found foster caring very fulfilling. “Everybody says that the kids get so much out of it, but I think you as a foster parent get much more than they do,” says Margie, who has fostered more than 300 children with Gary.
“It’s just lovely to see the children grow and their self-esteem glows – I love seeing them come out of their shell,” she says. “It’s so worth the effort to see them grow into happy little human beings.”
Margie and Gary keep in touch with many of the children they’ve cared for, and often receive phone calls about their school achievements and other important life events. “We’re still Nan and Pop,” says Margie.
She encourages other South Australians to become carers and find the same satisfaction in supporting children as she has. “If you’ve got a nurturing spirit within your heart, you can definitely do it.”
Diverse roles for diverse lives
The “Foster the feeling” campaign highlights the flexibility of foster care roles, with options ranging from a few hours to weekends, school holidays, or long-term placements. Every bit of support, no matter how small, can provide stability and security for a child in need – and the campaign highlights that feeling of joy that comes through moments of true connection between carers and children.
The foster carers themselves are just as diverse. Jackie says they come from a wide range of age groups, cultural backgrounds and life stages, and can be single or partnered, living in their own home or renting.
“You could be in your 20s, 30s, or 60s – if you have a bedroom to spare and can provide a safe, loving and supportive environment for a child, we want to hear from you,” she says.
The journey to become a carer includes checks, assessment and training by one of the state’s foster care agencies who work with the Department for Child Protection.
For more information about becoming a carer, click here.
