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Permanent Care Parents Provide Safe and Loving Homes
Connections Uniting Care (Connections) helping to find secure, safe
and loving homes for children aged between 0-12 years old.
Children who are seeking a permanent care parent come from a variety
of different circumstances, such as situations where biological
parents have difficulty caring for them due to physical or mental
illness, substance abuse or abuse or neglect of the child.
Totally Transform a Family Dynamic
Jenny, a Permanent care parent said “In the beginning it was very
exciting, new and also frightening” for her to meet the challenges
along the way and overcome the child’s often neglected past. Now
after almost 3 years as a permanent care parent, Jenny states that
it’s a “wonderful thing…...requiring lots of patience and an open
mind to work through the highs and lows.”
Bringing up a child in permanent care can totally transform the
child’s and the new family’s dynamic for life.
Real Commitment
To introduce a new child into the already established family is not
only a challenge for the parents and the new family member but also
the other siblings.
Jenny talks about the importance of considering this and preparing
your own children for the new dynamic created. |
As the new member to the family is usually the youngest and needs
total support from everyone, to be made to feel special as the baby
sibling.
Jenny said “You need to be really committed and to follow it
through.”
A Priceless Joy
Permanent care is an alternative solution and differs from adoption
in that the original parent continues to maintain contact with the
child so the child retains a connection to their identity which is
pivotal to a fully rounded and functional upbringing. The rewards of
becoming a carer are far greater than creating a stable home. The
opportunity to help build relationships that aid a child to reach
there full potential is a priceless joy.
Support Along The Way
To become a permanent carer you can be single, de facto, married,
with or without children or grandparents as long as you qualify
under the proper training assessments and police checks.
Carers are constantly supported along the way to deal with
behavioural, family health or any other support required in
maintaining a secure home environment.
Since Jenny first was inspired to become a carer after reading a
newspaper article, it has taken her, her partner and family a long
way. With a combination of hard work, co-operation and loving
sensitivity she can now says she is truly “blessed.” |
