An innovative approach to foster care in Victoria's Goulburn Valley.
Image: A family of five sit together on a picnic rug at a park.
Following the successful introduction of MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ to Western Australia, New South Wales, and South Australia, Life Without Barriers is recruiting foster carers to create 'constellations' across Victoria, with a focus on regional areas such as Seymour.
Coming into its sixth year of running MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™, an initiative which aims to foster support and connection for foster carers and the children within their care, Life Without Barriers is hoping to expand the program throughout regional Victoria.
The MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ approach is evidence-based and works by grouping together different foster and/or kinship carer homes, which are known as satellite families, into their own local community, called a constellation.
"After identifying the satellite families, who all should reside within a relatively close proximity, what we like to do is connect them together so they can provide a community of support to each other," said Chris Skinner, Manager of Program Advancement and Implementation.
Chris shared that this not only benefits the children in care, but also offers essential aid to the carers.
"Carers only know what it’s like to be a carer," Chris said.
"To have someone that has walked in your shoes and can empathise with you is a big support. It’s the same for the children."
Image: Chris Skinner wears a blue shirt and stands against a brick wall, smiling at the camera.
"Young people who are in care can associate and socialise with other kids in care who know what it’s like to walk that life journey, and there’s a lot of great strengths and beautiful connections that form out of that."
Life Without Barriers is forming new constellations within the Goulburn Valley, as well as in the Ovens Murray region, and is seeking foster carers who are based in Seymour.
Chris said that although there was a widespread need for foster carers, demand was especially prevalent in regional areas.
"We are particularly hoping that we can find a greater network of carers in regional areas."
"One of our goals is to try and keep children and young people within their community or close to their place of origin."
"When we don’t have the options in regional areas, you have the unfortunate situation where children can end up far away and in completely different communities."
"We’re really trying to help build that community of support, so people don’t feel isolated and alone."
Can I be a foster carer?
Chris said to become a foster carer, "it really just starts with an inquiry."
"Sometimes just actually speaking to people that are doing it is the first point of contact."
Following that initial inquiry, potential foster carers must go through an application process where they will be assessed on whether or not they will be the appropriate fit.
The approval process can take anywhere from six to nine months, and although it may at first appear daunting, Chris shared that many individuals didn’t realise that they had all they needed to succeed in becoming a foster carer.
"What we’re looking for is not so much skills, but attributes," Chris said.
"Having a caring nature, warm, altruistic, willing to grow and learn, having that ability to network in terms of your own supports."
Chris said that although prospective carers may never have parented before, they "might just have the right attributes and characteristics for a young person, to care for them and show love unconditionally".
If you're interested in learning more about becoming a foster carer in Victoria, you can reach out via email at carers@lwb.org.au or phone on 1300 592 227.
