Amanda’s Story

Amanda has been a foster carer with Anglicare Victoria since May 2019. Together with her house mate and adult daughter, she provides care for three foster children.

“We get so much joy from these kids. They love living in our home and we make sure we create a nurturing, family environment. The older boys help me with the toddler and treat him like a little brother,” explains Amanda.

“Some days are difficult, but the good certainly outweighs the bad. I can’t imagine not fostering now and wish I’d started earlier.”

STABLE HOMES IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD

During the pandemic, many young people felt the loss of socialising at school and extra-curricular activities more intensely – often followed by high stress and anxiety while returning to school on the other side. Foster carers have resumed meeting face-to-face with AV staff and one another in support groups, which has helped them provide much-needed stability for the young people in their care

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“What attracted me to Anglicare Victoria is the value of people and relationships being at the heart of everything they do. Over the last three years, I have had about ten children come into my care as emergency and short-term placements. However long they stay, the opportunity to nurture, love, care and keep these children safe has been a privilege and honour.” – Amanda, AV foster carer

ALWAYS IN HIGH DEMAND

AV recorded an increased need for foster care placements as Victoria came out of lockdown. Over the previous year, our carers opened their homes to provide 2925 placements for children in foster care. Our program in the south metro region grew significantly over the last year, with more placements needed than ever before. AV has increased our efforts in foster carer recruitment to meet demand.

“Foster care is about giving children somewhere safe and supportive to live while they need it. We always aim to reunify children back with their families wherever possible.” – Kate Badham, Project Manager, Client Service

The 2022 Annual report can be found on our website.

To request a hard copy of this report, call us on 1800 809 722.

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