My schoolfriend’s comedy show sheds light on what foster caring is like for those in their 30s, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
For Kiri Pritchard McLean, short-term respite care is ‘exactly my capacity, while still supporting my community and the women and the children around me’.For Kiri Pritchard McLean, short-term respite care is ‘exactly my capacity, while still supporting my community and the women and the children around me’.
With foster care, social services are not just going to frivolously take a risk on someone who thinks they might just fancy it a bit. “You will never be approved for it if you’re not right for it. At various points in the process, the social worker checks in with you and asks, ‘how is it all going, do you need anything from us?’” Kiri says. She is, she says, “terrified” of being a terrible parental figure or parent, and is acutely aware of the damage that can do.
Being a foster carer means, essentially, being a professional parent. There’s a skillset and a salary, and responsibilities. No one is saying that it’s easy, or something that you would go into lightly. For instance, many young people will have suffered trauma that can manifest in challenging behaviour.
Fostering is, of course, primarily about helping the children involved. “If you can give stability and love, and can nurture, while also acknowledging that kids need boundaries, then it could be right for you,” says Amy. It has much to offer in terms of personal fulfilment. As someone whose family has benefited from foster care – my brother stayed with a lovely couple for respite weekends thanks to the charity Barnardo’s – I hope that Kiri’s show encourages more young adults to consider it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Materials containing asbestos found in mulch at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood in Melbourne7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Man tried to smother dying mother, 92, in act of ‘unadulterated love’, jury toldFormer Winchester mayor David McLean allegedly said ‘Sorry, Mum’ before putting cushion over her face
Read more »
How social media is showing us what we like, rather than letting us find out for ourselvesAlgorithmic feeds should personalise our online experiences, but instead they are 'deadening our tastes' and fostering a dull conformity.
Read more »
Asbestos Found in Mulch Next to Playground in MelbourneThe discovery of asbestos in mulch, next to a playground at the Donald McLean Reserve in suburban Melbourne, comes after the material was found in sites across Sydney.
Read more »
Playground in Melbourne Closed After Asbestos DiscoveryA popular playground in Melbourne's west has closed down after a parent discovered asbestos in the mulch. The playground in Spotswood has been barricaded off after parent Jason Murphy discovered the suspicious building items in the mulch at the Donald McLean Reserve on Monday when he was at the park with his children.
Read more »
Teen dies after ‘seven years’ of bullyingThe mother of a 17-year-old who was “horrendously” bullied to the point of suicide has called for much-needed change, saying the family is simply “heartbroken” over the loss.
Read more »