"Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story," Josh, care leaver.
Image: Teenage boys are playing on a large slip and side outdoors on the grass.
Life Without Barriers is looking for foster carers who can be the one caring adult to make a difference in the life of a teenager in care.
Many people interested in foster caring come with the notion of wanting to foster babies and pre-school age children, but there is so much joy and reward in providing a safe, supportive home for a teen who can't safely live at home.
It's more than caring, it's mentoring
Teenagers in foster care are searching for someone who can build a real relationship with them. They need someone who can help guide them and keep them safe as they inch closer to adulthood.
“You can have a real conversation with teenagers and do a lot of good mentoring and support," Elysse, Case Manager with Life Without Barriers
"Some of the kids we’ve worked with have had their challenges, but then you just have a breakthrough and it’s awesome. Carers can be integral to helping a young person achieve their goals and improve their life, and really look forward to a future with more possibilities.”
Lyndon is a single, male, carer who provides respite care to teens. He likes the flexibility it offered by respite and the unique experience of caring for older teens.
Image: Foster carers and Life Without Barriers staff posing as a group before joining a fun run.
"There’s a lot of intensity of emotions, but there is also an excitement to your teenage years. I really love helping young people on those last few steps of their journey to the person they want to become," Lyndon said.
"Teenagers in out-of-home care need to feel that they are supported on the path for independence. They need clear boundaries, but they also need small moments of trust that allow them to prove their responsibility." Said Lyndon.
"And of course, sometimes they just need someone to pick them up again and brush them off when it doesn’t work out the way they planned."
Image: A teenage girl with long blonde hair is wearing a green blazer and holding an Learning Drivers Plate.
You can teach skills to help them to thrive in adulthood
Foster carers of teenagers, have the opportunity to really prepare them for adulthood, it’s a great responsibility.
“If you have a teenager enter your home you have the privilege of teaching them things like how to drive, cook, manage their budget." Said Nikki, a Case Manager with Life Without Barriers.
"Giving them a little bit of freedom when they are ready and supporting them to have control over some of the biggest decisions in their lives, can be really rewarding,”
Image: Kieren is sitting on a dark brown lounge and holding his dog.
Kieren, now a young adult, spent his teenage years in foster care with Life Without Barriers. He lived with Rob, a foster care with Life Without Barriers. Kieren shared the huge impact Rob had on his social and emotional development, teaching him how to deal with his anger and work through struggles or disagreements.
"My foster carer helped me to get where I am now. I went through a lot and I would have struggled harder if I didn't have someone to support me.” Kieren, care leaver.
Image: Photo of teenage boys playing basketball indoors.
More independence gives more flexibility for foster carers
Teenagers have a lot more independence than young children.
"They go to school, they often catch public transport to and from school, they play on their devices, play sport, and spend time with friends," said Nikki.
"This often opens up a lot more capacity and flexibility for carers to perhaps extend working hours, take up new activities, start a new role.”
Image: Photo depicts a foster care mother and teen daughter.
Guardianship or long term placements are an option
Ideally, all children and young people would return to their family, however this is not always possible. What we do hope to achieve, is that all children have positive and lasting relationships with their family. Often teenagers in foster care have long term or permanent care orders. In these cases, we would be looking for families to support and care for that children throughout the remainder of their teenage years and onto adulthood.
Help to shape a young person as they enter adulthood
“Some of our carers have become so skilled at working and mentoring teenagers, that they are able to take any bumps in their stride and really enjoy seeing young people gain confidence.” shared Elysse.
“We have one carer who only cares for teenagers who need that extra support and guidance. He cares for the teens that many may not be confident to take on. He just accepts them for who they are, and where they are in their lives, their stories."
"He doesn’t try to force them to fit into a box, but gives them time to settle, feel comfortable and secure so they are able to go out and the best versions of themselves. You just have to be open minded.”
Your foster care questions, answered.
Why is it important to foster older children and teenagers?
Older children in care need a safe and nurturing home to grow in. Caring for older children can have a huge impact on their development and how they make sense of their complex feelings. Older children in care need that one adult of family who can be their champion. This gives children and young people a sense of stability, a place to heal, and a space to reach their full potential as an adult.
For some older foster kids, needing to leave their family home means dealing with complex emotions and trauma. Children and young people deal with trauma in very different ways, but they still have the same hopes and dreams for their futures as children who are not in care.
What are the typical ages?
Most children who need out-of-home care in Australia are between the ages of 10 and 17.
What is the duration of care?
Fostering older children can range from respite or short break care for one weekend a month, or short-term care to long-term foster care. For older teens in long-term care, fostering can be at least 12 months. Many of our foster carers will continue to provide care until a young person reaches 18, 21, and beyond.
Do I need special skills to foster older children?
The short answer is no. However, people who have valuable life experience, who understand that all children do well with the right help, care and support are who we look for!
Teenagers are often easier to care for than younger foster kids, as they are generally more independent. This enables many foster carers the flexibility to continue working, as the young people can usually travel to and from school, and into the community.
What kind of support will I get if I become a foster carer for older children?
Our foster carers are never alone in their caring journey. We know that providing great support is important for a successful foster placement. We provide training and support to help our foster families feel confident and well-equipped in their placement. It can be difficult to comprehend the experiences children and young people bring with them, so it is important that carers feel supported and confident in their role.
Could you be a foster carer and mentor to a young person who needs a safe, supportive and loving home? Could you be that one caring adult?
