A foster and kinship carer needs a range of critical personal qualities and abilities.
Children bring with them a range of behaviours as a result of their experiences.
A good carer has qualities that include being:
- tolerant, flexible and non-judgemental
- loving, caring, kind and respectful to children
- open, honest and patient
- understanding and able to persevere.
Children in need of care can experience trauma upon being separated from their parents.
A good carer is able to:
- respond and empathise to the grief and loss that children experience
- set boundaries and house rules so that children know what is expected of them
- help children talk about and maintain connections with their families, and other significant people in their lives
- support a child’s return to their family when it is safe for that to occur.
Children in need of care will make demands upon your time and energy.
A good carer is able and willing to:
- spend time with the child, without neglecting their own family
- learn about ways to best meet the needs of a child in their care
- listen, provide hope, support and encouragement to a child in their care
- work as part of a team to help meet case plan goals.
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