If you’re considering becoming a foster carer, it’s crucial to understand why and how kids enter the system. With around 11 000 children in care within Queensland alone(1), the list of specific reasons and situations that lead to children entering the system is a long and complicated one. Let’s look at some of the more…
Mercy Community foster carer recognised for 59 years of continuous service, providing care for children and teens across two states. Long-time foster carer Lis has led an inspirational life. She has spent 59 years as a foster carer, giving unconditional love and guidance, and advocating for hundreds of children and teenagers, at their greatest time…
At Mercy Community, we are dedicated to supporting you to be the best foster carer you can be. We spoke to Mercy Community’s Foster and Kinship Care Program Manager of the Ipswich region, Karen Vanderburg, about what lies in store for people just starting out on their foster care journey. Q: What training and support…
Foster care is something that a lot of people know a little bit about. However, unless you’ve had direct experience with foster care in some way, chances are you have a broad view and aren’t aware of the very different types of care. Children and young people come into care for all kinds of reasons.…
Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling decisions you could make. Getting started can be a little intimidating, so we’ve made this simple guide to show you the steps involved in becoming a foster carer… Part one: Initial visit and consultation Once you’ve completed the quiz and we have your…
By Marc Gregory, Practice Development Facilitator, Mercy Community Families come to foster care for many different reasons and no two families will have the same experience. Foster care can offer many joys, wins, and can also provide an incredible sense of purpose and meaning. For a foster carer’s biological children, the experience of fostering can…
Jenny has been a foster carer with Mercy Community since 2009. She has two adult children, and is also a single-parent carer. Last year Jenny’s family had cause for celebration—her daughter was engaged, and the wedding date was set. While finding a suitable home for teenagers is never easy, Jenny has always welcomed young people…
At Christmas, our Foster and Kinship Care (FKC) regions each host a party for foster carers and the children they care for. Karen Vanderburg, FKC Program Manager for Mercy Community’s Ipswich region, attended the party organised by her team, where she had the chance to talk to many of the children. ‘We had about 150…
Maria, who lives in Brisbane, has cared for countless babies in her time as a carer. Maria was previously a nurse and provided care for young babies who were born requiring special attention and lengthy periods in hospital. During these times of care Maria became aware that some children were no longer able to return…
By Marc Gregory, Practice Development Facilitator, Mercy Community Supporting contact between a child and their family is a key part of being a foster carer. However, when many people first learn about this requirement, their reaction is one of disbelief. ‘Isn’t foster care about protecting children from the very people who’ve hurt them in the…