No two children or families are the same, at Life Without Barriers we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Image: Kylie Drummy, Director - Victoria Children Youth and Families, is wearing a white shirt with flowers and clear glasses. She is standing against a wall with leaves.
Life Without Barriers is looking to Geelong locals to assist the growing need for foster carers in the region.
Life Without Barriers provides ongoing training and support for people who are interested in being a carer and provides support to carers when they have a foster child in their home.
Kylie Drummy, Director of Child, Youth and Family Services in Victoria, said when it comes to fostering, no two children or families are the same, so at Life Without Barriers we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Foster parents can come as couples or singles, with children of their own or none at all and can be people in full-time, part-time, or casual work,” Ms Drummy said.
“Many people don’t realise caring can look like providing a safe home for a young person for a couple of nights or for one weekend each month. We want people to think outside the box when it comes to foster care.
“Every child has the right to experience safety, love and care. There are some children, however, in Geelong and the Surf Coast who need support because they are not able to live safely at home.
“As a provider of foster care services across Australia, we have experience working with all different types of families, from young professionals to same-sex couples and everything in between." Said Kylie.
Victorian Carer Ambassador, Jenna Noonan, said helping kids have a safe space to go while they are navigating change is such an incredible experience that she could not recommend enough.
“A as single person working full-time, I didn’t think caring for children was an option for me. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. I do respite, emergency and short-term care, which is really needed in the Geelong region,” Jenna said.
“Now that I’m almost two years in, I can say from experience that there are a lot of myths out there about foster care, around who can do it, what to expect and how you’ll feel as a foster carer when it is time for your foster child to move on."
The main message Jenna wants to share for anyone considering becoming a carer is that you should go for it.
“I really am of the firm belief, that if you are willing and have the capacity, anyone can become a foster carer.”
"You can choose the option that works best for you and your family while receiving support from Life Without Barriers in the process.”
