View Full Version : Are you a foster carer???
Im after information from people who have been temporary or long term carers to wards of the state or children in care.
Im keen to hear about your experiences...positive or negative and your opinion on the following...
Do you think you NEED to have children to be a carer?
Am I too young to be a carer? In your personal opinion and what you think the department might think?
As a teacher in a SMALL town will it be impossible for me to be a carer because I would work in the school where the children go?
TIA
:)
I would love to be a carer one day too:flowerz:. Just atm we live in a bit of a shoe box can't fit more than two people in:laughing:.
Also really looking to hear responses.
I'm not a foster carer, but there was a great Australian Story episode (http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/fostermum/default.htm) recently.
She was a single woman in her 40s without children, and she ended up wth permanent care of 5 siblings, including a baby, which they took from the mother straight after birth.
It also showed the declining relationship between her and the kids and the biological mother.
I have been a carer (well, still am, but not active right now)
of course you could be a carer! even if you have no kids.. or at your age. I was a carer as a single mum and I was about 24 - 25 when I started. Carers are needed from all walks of life. A person with no kids of their own can provide a safe home to kids that wouldn't be suitable to place with a family IYKWIM. As for being a teacher, I can't see why not! of course you would have to have a certain level of confidentiality, but you need that as a carer no matter what your situation.
I'd be happy to try and answer any questions you might have.. good luck!
Thanks MsMummy - Will look at that link now! :)
Jag5000 - Will PM you some Q's! Hope thats ok! :)
Anyone else?!
*BUMP* :)
Still interested in stories/advice/opinions!
Mummaholic
02-06-2009, 20:34
That show was so touching.
It really was wasn't it! Made me want to do it all the more! :yes:
*Bumpity Bump Bump* - Again! :)
Feel free to PM me too!
I called up today. Have to wait to do pre-service training. They said they dont know when the next training will be held. And she also said it could take MONTHS before I become an approved carer! :(:rolleyes:
sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet Amy.
At least you have taken the first step! good for you :)
*
I called up today. Have to wait to do pre-service training. They said they dont know when the next training will be held. And she also said it could take MONTHS before I become an approved carer! :(:rolleyes:
My understanding is that it generally takes around 6 months.
We are in the initial stages of becoming foster parents (But considering postponing a few more years).
We have attended an information seminar and had our first home visit. Training as well as screening will follow.
Oh andI doubt your age will be an issue. Me and my DP are both young. I dont think it is age, so much a s maturity IYKWIM.
Hey Hazelnut! :)
Thanks for replying! Nice to hear of someone else who is going thru it too! What did they look for in your first home visit? I have a 2nd bedroom that Im using as an office but will convert to a bedroom when I start foster caring. Do they expect the room to be all set up already or are they more looking for safety issues?
Jo - Thank ok! :) Hope to hear from you soon!
ANYONE ELSE??? :wave: There must be others out there! Surely! Lol!
Hey Hazelnut! :)
Thanks for replying! Nice to hear of someone else who is going thru it too! What did they look for in your first home visit? I have a 2nd bedroom that Im using as an office but will convert to a bedroom when I start foster caring. Do they expect the room to be all set up already or are they more looking for safety issues?
Jo - Thank ok! :) Hope to hear from you soon!
ANYONE ELSE??? :wave: There must be others out there! Surely! Lol!
I wasnt even aware they were going to do a safety check, so our spare rooms were a tad messy:o. But the woman didnt mind at all. She was happy to see a realistic idea of how our house was kept, and basically just suggested ways we could enhance the safety (locks on cupboards etc). Apart from that she just explained what the process would be and tried to work out whether we were in a stable enough place to offer care. She asked about our reasons for caring, our intended approach, the ages we were interested in and just other general questions.
HTH
:hugs:
Thanks Hazelnut! :) The lady on the phone asked me some of those questions. The ages I was willing to take. And the gender. Didnt think I would be able to choose that. She also asked me why I wanted to be a foster carer. I think my unit is pretty safe. Its owned by Edu Qld and used by teachers so the hot water has been turned down etc. We have a BIG yard for a unit and a secure fence.
Do you know if the preservice training is relevant in all agencies across each state? Like if I do the training with one then move will I have to do the training with another? I only ask because I dont know if I will still be here in 6 months time!
Oscar's mum
05-06-2009, 05:49
Do you know if the preservice training is relevant in all agencies across each state? Like if I do the training with one then move will I have to do the training with another? I only ask because I dont know if I will still be here in 6 months time!
The training is the same for say all of Qld but not necessarily the same for NSW. So you can definately move anywhere around the state you do the training in and it be fine but I am not sure about interstate.
This is not speeking from personal experience (just someone who I've worked with in schools) but the "unsure of your future plans" could be something that goes against ... also you may need to just check that this is okay in an EQ provided premises...not that it's a 'business' but they can be funny about activities that provide a conflict of interest
And something to think about on the personal side (just because you're in such a small town)...how will you deal with the parent of someone whose child was forcibly/unhappily removed from them....it's not like a city where they are less likely to know exactly where you are, and just could have some ramifications (obviously different to a situation where a parent is happy/just needs support/whatever)
All in all I sound completely negative (which I'm not - have tossed up the idea myself when my kidlets are a little older), but I do think it's a wonderful idea....just some issues that I've heard of with teachers becoming foster carers
We too are thinking seriously about fostering....we did the inital phonecalls etc but the time didn't feel right.
Right now we are tossing up between having another one of our own or fostering. (ok, well I am tossing it up....DH says no to another pregnancy!)
We would love to be able to put some happiness in little ones lives....we are just trying to work out how our own children will cope and whether we can do long term permanent care etc etc.
We think our kids would cope best with very young children.
Good luck Amy! I think you would be great! We are in a smiliar situation to you in that we are in a tiny town and DH works in the schools, (although he has just applied for another job doing domestic violence couselling) so he would likely know the families....
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