This month’s question is answered by Jacqui Bance (she/her), Foster Care Recruitment Specialist at Uniting Victoria and Tasmania.  

Question: 

“What does foster care actually involve day to day?”

Foster care doesn’t look the same for everyone. Day to day depends on the child or young person, their age, their needs, and the type of care, whether that’s emergency, short-term, or longer-term.

A lot of it is everyday life, school drop-offs, meals, homework, and routines. Alongside that, there can be more challenging moments, supporting big emotions, behaviours, or helping a child feel safe and settled in a new environment. Some days feel quite typical, others are harder.

Foster care isn’t about fixing a child or having all the answers. It’s about showing up, being consistent, and providing a safe, stable home. Carers are also supported by a team, so you’re not doing it on your own.

Most carers say to me, “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the best thing I’ve ever done.” I think that’s a pretty honest reflection of what foster care involves day to day.

If you have a question that you would like answered by a foster care expert, email us or send us DM via our Facebook or Instagram. 

Fostering Connections is Victoria’s statewide foster carer recruitment service, helping people explore whether foster care could fit into their lives and connecting them with foster care agencies across the state.