Myth busters: The foster care edition
Thought you couldn’t be a foster carer? There are a lot of misconceptions floating around – ones that could be holding you back from this incredibly rewarding experience.
FALSE: You need to own or have a big home to foster
Every child needs a space that is warm, inviting and where they feel like they belong. This means having their own bedroom (unless they’re sharing with their own siblings or are under the age of 2 years). But you don’t need to own your home – many of our foster carers are renting.
FALSE: Children can’t contact their birth family
As a foster carer, you’ll play an important role in supporting the child to maintain a relationship with their parents and extended family, when safe. This is a big part of a child’s identity and we don’t expect you to do this alone. This is a relationship that will develop over time, and family time can range from exchanging cards, gifts and photos to also spending time with birth family.
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FALSE: I haven’t got the skills to be a foster carer
We all need to start somewhere in whatever roles we play in life. We’ll be there every step of the way to support you on your foster care journey. We provide all the training and resources you’ll need to guide you in providing care to a child.
FALSE: I’m too old to be a foster carer
Age is not a barrier to you becoming a foster carer. Many older or retired couples fill the ‘empty nest’ by caring for children and young people in need. And if you’ve parented your own children, your wealth of life experience could make you a fantastic carer, especially for adolescents.
FALSE: I need to be the perfect parent
Nobody’s perfect! What counts is that you create a safe, empathetic and stable family environment. We’ll work with you to develop the skills you need as a foster carer and will provide you with ongoing support, guidance and training.
Who is Centacare Foster Care?
Centacare Foster Care recruit a range of carers who provide nurturing, secure and safe homes for South Australian children and young people aged 0-17 who are unable to live with their families.
Choosing Centacare for foster care means becoming part of a supportive and dedicated community committed to making a positive difference in children’s lives.
To discover if fostering is right for you, visit the website, call 08 8159 1400, or visit them at 413 Grange Road, Seaton.
