BECOMING foster carers was a no-brainer for Emily Bradford and Anna Kogge.
So much so, they even spoke about it on their first date.
Both women had seen the need for carers in the Mildura community through Ms Bradford’s role as the owner of a dance school, where she works with 300 students each week, and through Ms Kogge’s job as an education support worker at a Sunraysia school.
“When it comes to fostering, people sometimes think, ‘There isn’t much that I could do’ and that’s a big stereotype,” Ms Bradford said.
“There’s a role for anybody to play as long as they’re happy to and that’s what we saw with our jobs – we know there is a need in our community for foster carers.
“It was something we both wanted to do separately so that formed more of a connection knowing we had that in common and that that’s where our path was heading.”
Ms Bradford, 27, and Ms Kogge, 25, have been foster carers with Mallee Accommodation and Support Program (MASP) for two years and have cared for about 10 children during that time.
Children stay for varying lengths of time from a day, while their carer is at work, to extended periods.
“MASP like to call us a revolving door because with our spare room, if there’s a child that needs respite or comes into MASP as a new child, there’s always a bed at our place for whoever needs it.”
The couple say part of the joys of foster care is teaching things such as how to ride a bike, or swimming.
“Even if the kids get reunified with their parents, we are able to still have contact, if their parents are happy for us to.
“It’s really important for the kids to know they still have that stability … it is about keeping those connections and keeping communication open.”
She said while it was bittersweet when a child left their care, keeping that relationship going could make separation a little easier.
“It is very hard but essentially the majority of the time it’s what the kids want, they do want to be back with their families.
“To see that happen and see the growth in the parents, and that really special moment of the transition back, it’s a positive thing.”
Through it all, Ms Bradford said, there was endless support from MASP, which prepared the couple for the journey and supported them throughout.
“You’re fully supported by your agency, they check in all the time to see if you need anything and making sure everything’s OK.
“A lot of people have the misconception that they’ll be placed with a child and left to deal with everything that comes with that, but that’s not the case at all.
“You’ve got support, you’ve got help … you’re never alone.”
She said one of the biggest stereotypes when it came to deciding whether to become a foster carer was people believing they had nothing to offer.
She said she and Ms Kogge had gone through training sessions and interviews, which for them took about nine months, to prepare for the caring role.
“The first step is just picking up the phone and finding out what’s involved. The process certainly isn’t hard and the agency does most of the work.
“There’s such a high need for it and it’s such a rewarding thing to do.”
More information can be found at www.masp.org.au or fosteringconnections.com.au.
