Foster Carer Stories Part 2: Camilla

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We’ve been talking about foster carers in the last few episodes, to share the important role they have in the community. Foster care is the temporary care of children, with the goal to reunify them with their birth family.

These conversations will give you an insight into what it takes to be a Foster Carer – the ups and downs and how people who do this vital role can change the lives of the children they care for…and how their lives are changed too.
In this episode we meet Camilla, a mum and foster carer of more than 12 years in Gippsland, Victoria. In this role, and as a foster carer she’s had more than 100 children come into her care and has care for a very diverse range of children with complex needs.

After providing foster care for many, many children in her home over these years, Camilla now works in a professional capacity in what’s called retainer care, which is for younger children who are awaiting a foster care placement.
If you haven’t already, listen to our previous episodes:

• Jasmine Isaacs, a foster care specialist
• Foster Carer Stories Part 1: Jackson

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and live in Victoria, contact Fostering Connections on 1800 013 088.
If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• 13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

Produced by Emily Webb, ermha365 Advocacy and External Communications Advisor.
We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.
ermha365 provides support for people with complex mental health and disability in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
ermha365 acknowledges that our work in th

ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.
Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467
ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.
We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.