Foster carers make a remarkable contribution to young lives, welcoming children in state care into the safety and security of their own homes.
ac.care works with 92 carers households across the Limestone Coast, supporting more than 175 children.
“We are privileged to work with so many wonderful, diverse people who open their hearts and homes to vulnerable young people and cannot thank them enough on behalf of our team and the community for all they do,” ac.care Limestone Coast foster care manager Sherri Winter said.
“It takes a community effort to support children who are unable to live with their biological families and our network of carers is a vital safety net to provide nurturing home placements, which are so important to fostering strong relationships and provide opportunities to grow, learn and develop in a stable and safe environment.”
ac.care is celebrating the quiet contributions of carers the organisation works with across eastern regional South Australia as part of South Australian Foster and Kinship Carers Week.
“Our carers are diverse, including single adults, couples and families with children, from young professionals to full-time parents and retirees – people of any background really with one thing in common – a commitment and ability to care for a child,” Sherri said.
“However, their contributions are also diverse, from caring for children from birth to adulthood in long-term care through to providing a safe space for babies and other children in need of emergency care or short-term placements while a longer-term future is determined for the child.”
She said some carers chose to commit to providing respite so carers could have some time away from their fostering responsibilities and the children could also extend their network of supporting, caring adults to connect with by developing relationships in addition to the bond with their primary carers.
“We are lucky to have a wonderful network of foster carers across the region opening their hearts and homes to vulnerable young people and hear stories about how caring for children has added meaning and fulfilment to their own lives and been embraced by their extended families,” Sherri said.
“However, we always need more carers to help share the care so many children in the region need and we know doing so can really transform the lives and future of young people in need of support.”
Visit accare.org.au, email care@accare.org.au or call 1300 ACCARE to find out more.
