A Doveton foster carer is encouraging others to give kids in need “a place to live with structure” and “a bit of love”.
Sean, who did not want to share his surname, has opened his doors to children and teens in need since 2017.
He signed up after a lunch break chat with a colleague providing foster care, who mentioned a young boy with special needs was struggling to find a stable home.
“I didn’t realise he was a single dad and I thought being single meant you can’t do fostering, but he told me more,” Sean said.
“I thought ‘I could do that’. Most kids just need a place to live with structure, a bit of love.”
Sean went through the required training and interviewing process to house the young boy immediately.
He’s cared for his current foster son for seven years. Before landing with Sean, he’d bounced between 32 other homes.
“He started to make friends at school, he attended school, started to personalise his room, became like a normal kid,” Sean said.
“He wasn’t ready to leave anymore, his moods were more calm.
“He was able to plan his life. Before that, he lived day to day.
“All those years, he didn’t know how to have long-term friends. It was always short-term friends in short-term foster care.”
Uniting foster care recruitment specialist Jacqui Bance said Sean’s extended family had welcomed his foster child as part of their tribe.
She said that fostering was a family decision and a family commitment.
“Fostering while raising your own children can be really rewarding, but it does take some honest conversations and preparation as a family,” she said.
“It’s important to make sure everyone feels involved and ready.
“Talk together about what fostering means to you as a family.
“Give your children time to ask questions, about sharing toys, sharing their parents, and helping Mum and Dad with the children who come into your home.”
Jacqui said that some signs that fostering could be a good fit for your family included:
Your family (especially your children) enjoy helping others;
You have stable routines, and there’s a sense of safety and emotional security in your home;
You’re comfortable sharing space, time, and attention;
Your children are open to the idea and have had a chance to talk through any worries; and
You’re able to work as a team, with your family, your agency, and the child’s care team and can manage change or challenges calmly.
“If you can tick some of these boxes and you feel drawn to offering care, it’s a good sign you might be ready to explore fostering further,” she said.
Jacqui said many families found that fostering enriched their children’s lives in unexpected ways.
“It can help children develop empathy, resilience, and a broader understanding of the world around them,” she said.
“They often learn the value of kindness and inclusion, and see firsthand how love and care can make a difference in someone’s life.”
And Jacqui said that many parents found fostering had a positive impact on their relationship with their biological children.
“Fostering can prompt deeper conversations within the family about emotions, needs, and values, and that often strengthens the parent–child relationship,” she said.
“Parents can find themselves more attuned to their children’s feelings as they support everyone through change.
“It can also remind families to slow down and appreciate the small things, moments of connection, laughter.
“Watching your children show care and generosity to another child can be deeply affirming and can bring a real sense of pride and gratitude into family life.
“One thing I’ve heard from so many of our carers is: ‘It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the best thing I’ve ever done.’”
Anyone with a safe home, a spare bedroom, and a caring heart can make a difference as a foster carer.
Call Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088 or visit fosteringconnections.com.au for more information and to apply to be a foster carer.
– By Casey Neill and Sahar Foladi
