Pilbara people needed for foster caring

The Department for Child Protection is looking for Pilbara people to become foster carers.

DCP district director Natasha Bargeus said the reasons for a child needing foster care could vary from being neglected or hurt in their home, to being left without a caregiver through parental death or hospitalisation.

Lorna Barr and Pablo Dann have been registered foster carers in Hedland for more than 10 years.

Ms Barr said their foster children brought love into their lives.

“We love them and praise them and nurture them,” she said.

“Kids want to be in a place with people who care about them and they want to fit in, that’s what we do. We get attached to the kids, but it’s in their best interest to go back to family and we help with this by working with the case workers.

“Sometimes it’s tough but we take a step back, have a breath and keep loving them, working with them and never give up as they are so worth it.”

Ms Barr recommends being a foster carer to anyone.

“It’s great to make someone little feel good and make a difference

– try it, even if it’s just to give someone a break on the weekend,” she said.

Ms Bargeus said to become foster carer it was important all members of the family were supportive.

“There is an assessment process to become a carer and, as you would expect, this is detailed and will involved some checks and some interviews with everyone your family,” she said.

“While a process is involved, the benefits of knowing you are making a positive contribution in the lives of children and the skills and networks you learn along the way are of great reward.”