Preparing our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey
Preparing our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey
Podcast Description
'Preparing Our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey' highlights the stories and experiences of foster carers and their biological children as they navigate the loss and grief that is associated with the temporary care of children. Profound, moving and honest, the stories in the series provide insight into the reality of having to say goodbye to children you've cared for in your home.
Also featuring the voices of foster carer professionals, educators and academics, this podcast for prospective and existing foster carers, and the people who support them.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into the emotional complexities of foster care, focusing on themes such as grief, loss, and the joy of foster relationships. Episode examples include discussions on the challenges of saying goodbye to foster children and insights from experts on disenfranchised grief, with episodes featuring the experiences of foster carers and research findings on support systems.
‘Preparing Our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey’ highlights the stories and experiences of foster carers and their biological children as they navigate the loss and grief that is associated with the temporary care of children. Profound, moving and honest, the stories in the series provide insight into the reality of having to say goodbye to children you’ve cared for in your home.
Also featuring the voices of foster carer professionals, educators and academics, this podcast for prospective and existing foster carers, and the people who support them.
This episode focuses on the crucial yet often overlooked role of biological children in foster care families.
Host and Principal Practitioner at MacKillop Family Services, Summah Hemming, meets young adults, Abi, Sophie and Charlotte, who grew up as the biological children in foster care families to unpack their perspective and experience.
Abi, Sophie, and Charlotte discuss the positive impacts on their emotional development and future aspirations, and highlight how familial bonds, shared responsibilities, and life lessons shaped their views on empathy, love, and loss. Carol, a current carer, shares strategies for balancing the needs of biological and foster children and underscores the invaluable life skills gained from fostering.
Dr. Margaret Kertesz’s research provides further insight into the importance of recognising and supporting the perspectives of biological children in foster care families.
The podcast offers valuable insights for current and prospective foster carers, emphasising the importance of family discussions, emotional balance, and the profound impact foster care can have on all members of the foster care family.
(03:02) Meet Abi: A Foster Care Sister
(03:37) Charlotte and Sophie’s Foster Care Sibling Experience
(07:48) Carol’s Journey as a Foster Carer
(10:24) The Emotional Impact of Foster Caring
(13:29) Coping Strategies and Support Systems
(28:34) The Positive Impact of Foster Care on Biological Children
Find out more about becoming a foster carer at MacKillop Family Services, visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare or call 1300 791 677
Access the MacKillop Family Services and Melbourne University Grief and Loss Research Report – http://www.mackillop.org.au/loss-and-grief-in-foster-care
If themes in this content have impacted you, consider contacting Australia’s National Grief & Loss Support Hub, Griefline at griefline.org.au or call 1300 845 745.
If you’re a foster carer and require support with grief and loss, please contact your agency for pathways to support.
Produced by Posterboy Media
Narration written by Katy Warner
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