MacKillop Family Services

Preparing our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey

Kids EN ↓ 6 episodes

'Preparing Our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey' highlights the stories and experiences of foster carers and their biological children as they navigate the loss and grief that is associated with the temporary care of children. Profound, moving and honest, the stories in the series provide insight into the reality of having to say goodbye to children you've cared for in your home. Also featuring the voices of foster carer professionals, educators and academics, this podcast for prospective and existing foster carers, and the people who support them.

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Author

MacKillop Family Services

Episodes

5. Give me Strength: Boosting Your Internal Resources 29.05.2025 35:20

This final episode focuses on the inherent strengths and abilities of foster carers. Featured are experienced foster carers Heidi and Michael, who speak of the challenges and joys of their foster care journey, their resilience and coping strategies. They speak of the importance of self-care and self-compassion. Kellie Goes, State Director of MacKillop Family Services in WA, highlights the need for...

4. It really does take a village: Social and Professional Supports 22.05.2025 43:02

In this episode, host and Principal Practitioner at MacKillop Family Services, Summah Hemming, discusses the critical role of the foster carer’s ‘village’ - the professionals, family and friends who support foster carers. Discussions include the unique challenges of emergency and short-term placements, cumulative grief, the importance of case manager relationships, and the support strategies empl...

3. Young Recruits: The experience of biological children of foster carers 15.05.2025 36:12

This episode focuses on the crucial yet often overlooked role of biological children in foster care families. Host and Principal Practitioner at MacKillop Family Services, Summah Hemming, meets young adults, Abi, Sophie and Charlotte, who grew up as the biological children in foster care families to unpack their perspective and experience. Abi, Sophie, and Charlotte discuss the positive impacts...

2. I don’t know how you do it! Foster carers talk about caring for kids you have to give back 08.05.2025 34:44

This episode looks at the emotional complexities faced by foster carers and the significant responsibility and impact of opening one’s heart, and home, to vulnerable children. Presented by Summah, Principal Practitioner at MacKillop Family Services, the episode features heartfelt stories from experienced foster carers Mardi and Robyne. They share their foster care journeys, including the grief of...

1. My foster child has just moved on; why does it hurt so much? 07.05.2025 33:58

This episode explores the challenges and complexities of foster care, particularly the grief experienced when a foster child leaves a caregiver's home. With valuable insights from Dr. Margaret Kertesz, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and foster carers Charles and Pam, this episode examines the profound sense of loss and grief carers can feel when a child leaves their home...

Preparing Our Hearts - Trailer 05.05.2025 3:48

Hosted by Summah Hemming, Principal Practitioner at MacKillop Family Services, the 'Preparing Our Hearts: A Foster Care Journey’ series features insights from foster carers, professionals, and educators. It is a podcast for prospective and experienced foster carers and the people who support them.