Foster care reaps huge rewards for local couple

CHOOSING to become foster carers is a decision Lee-Anne and Greg of South Gippsland are glad they made.

The couple has felt well prepared for any challenges that arise thanks to the support and training provided by the staff of Berry Street, an organisation that strives to put children into environments where they are safe, thriving and hopeful.

Lee-Anne explained what motivated her and Greg to become foster carers, something they did about 18 months ago.

Lee-Anne, who has two grown children, said she and Greg felt they have something to give and realised there are a lot of kids out there doing it tough.

The pair prove it is possible to become successful foster carers while leading an already busy lifestyle, with both employed full time with a one-hour commute to work.

Unsure how much of a commitment they could make, a respite carer role appealed as a starting point.

Lee-Anne explained that could mean being assigned one or two children over a weekend once a month.

As it turned out, they were given the opportunity to care for a child for what initially shaped as possibly a three-week period.

However, such has been the success of the arrangement, they’ve now had that first child in their care for 18 months.

The junior school aged youngster has since been joined by his two younger sisters who were previously in a shorter-term placement.

The young trio were recently able to enjoy their first Christmas together.

Allowing the siblings to be reunited has been one of the rewards for Lee-Anne and Greg.

Seeing behavioural issues overcome as the children become more comfortable and confident in their environment has also been satisfying.

Enabling the children to try new things is enjoyable, seeing the positive effect it has after trauma they have experienced.

The older child has been snow skiing and water skiing and learned how to use a kneeboard. 

“Showing them life can be happy,” is one of the opportunities foster caring brings, Lee-Anne said, adding it is great seeing children allowed to be themselves.

“We’ve got a farm and the kids enjoy seeing the baby animals,” she said, demonstrating the simple joys that have a positive impact.

With no childcare available in their immediate area, Lee-Anne said Berry Street has provided the support required to enable her and Greg to continue full time work, while ensuring the foster children are cared for throughout the day.

Initially, Berry Street organised transport to and from childcare.

The couple have since been granted their wish to have an in-home educator provided to look after the children during work hours.

“We’re proud to say we’re one of the first to be doing that through the foster care system and it works really well,” Lee-Anne said.

She elaborated on the ongoing support Berry Street provides.

“They’re constantly in touch with you, and they are only a phone call away.” 

Although there wasn’t any advance notice when she and Greg were asked whether they could take on the two sisters, Berry Street gave them the support and confidence they needed to allow that to happen.

That included obtaining all the items needed for the new arrangement, such as buying a new cot and bed and other essentials.

“Berry Street helped us to get that happening,” Lee-Anne said.

She said the couple were encouraged to get whatever was needed and were then reimbursed.

“That’s making the world of difference for Greg and me and for the kids,” Lee-Anne said.

She noted Berry Street strives to ensure the fostering experience isn’t too difficult for carers and that they are not left out of pocket, but also works to make certain they aren’t weighed down or overwhelmed by challenges they face in the role.

Other help Berry Street provides includes identifying appropriate services for the needs of the children when requested.

Lee-Anne noted training provided is personalised and you have the chance to ask whatever questions you need to.

“You want to know the ins and outs of everything because these are little people, and you need to make sure that any question or doubt that you have you feel confident in the answer you are getting, and they were fantastic,” Lee-Anne said.

She noted there are training sessions offered all the time and that she has undertaken trauma-based training,

Anybody considering becoming a foster carer is encouraged to explore the possibility.

“If there’s anybody out there who thinks they’d like to give this a go and they’re nervous doing so, it doesn’t hurt to do the training and to ask questions and find things out,” Lee-Anne said.