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Shaunagh was just 10 years old when she decided to become a foster carer.

“Now that I think about it, it’s quite a strange thing for a child to dream about,” laughed Shaunagh.

The idea formed from seeing how her family cared for others in their community – her mother looked after children through their church on school holidays and her older brother was studying social work.

Shaunagh held on to her childhood dream and in April 2019, she became an accredited foster carer with Berry Street.

“Timing is always the key, and that applies to fostering too,” said Shaunagh.

I wanted to be able to give as much as I could to the kids in my care; I’m finally at a time in my life when I can do that.

Shaunagh Berry Street foster carer

Foster carers provide ongoing love and support as ‘aunty’ and ‘uncle’

Shaunagh and her husband, Tom, started their foster care journey as respite carers for children aged 0-5 years old. Respite carers care for children on a short-term basis, such as on the weekend, to give full-time carers, parents or guardians a regular break.

Once they felt comfortable in their new carer role, the Wallan-based couple decided to start supporting children requiring long-term care.

Just as the global pandemic began, Shaunagh and Tom welcomed baby Pete* into their home and cared for him for just over 15 months. Happily, Pete now lives with a family member in kinship care.

“Pete’s kinship carer recognised the significant time he was with us and wanted us to keep going as his ‘aunty’ and ‘uncle’,” said Shaunagh.

“It’s something I didn’t envisage, but I’m happy we still get to be in his life in a small way.”

Don’t let fear get in the way of giving foster care a go

Although not always the case, foster care is meant to be temporary. Wherever it is in the child’s best interest and safe to do so, the aim is always to reunite a child with their birth family.

‘How do you not get too attached to the children?’ is one of the questions that Shaunagh, and many other foster carers, gets asked over and over again.

Shaunagh says it’s important carers do get attached to the children and young people in their care, especially as many of them may have experienced abuse, neglect or trauma.

“The children need to build an attachment to you, so they can go on to form their next healthy, caring relationship,” said Shaunagh.

“You do go through a lot of personal growth when the children leave, but you can manage it. What’s most important is that the child can go on to form relationships beyond you.”

Shaunagh says a fear of “letting the child go” stops many people from becoming foster carers.

If you let fear dictate you, then you’ll miss out on this amazing opportunity to be a foster carer.

Shaunagh Berry Street foster carer

“When you do get to the point where you take a child on – take it day by day and don’t get ahead of yourself. Things will work out as they work out, don’t look or think too far down the track.”

Become a foster carer and support a local child

Childhood is a journey. Partner with Berry Street to support a child or young person on theirs.

As a Berry Street foster carer, you’ll be a part of a team that is committed to supporting children and young people who cannot live safely at home. By providing a safe and nurturing place to live – you'll be there for them at a crucial moment in their life.