Townsville foster carer Jodie speaks on ‘misconceptions’ of kids in care

A Townsville foster carer, who’s opened her home to more than 50 kids over the years, has given a rare insight into some “misconceptions” about kids in care amid the city’s crime wave.

A Townsville foster carer, who’s opened her home to more than 50 kids over the years, has given a rare insight into some “misconceptions” about kids in care amid the city’s crime wave.

For eight years, Townsville foster carer Jodie has helped provide short and long-term care, short breaks and emergency care for dozens of children unable to live at home with their own families because of abuse or neglect.

She said she still remembers the feeling of her heart “coming alive” when she was first able to give a child the love and support they truly deserved.

“There’s a misconception that these children are naughty — and yes, they may have suffered some sort of trauma — but for the most part, it’s just that mum and dad can’t look after them,” she said.

“Due to the way the youth crime issue has been portrayed, I think some people seem to think straight away that those kids must be foster kids, but in reality, the majority of foster kids are fantastic.

Foster carer Jodie has help care for more than 50 kids over the years. Picture: Evan Morgan

“All they want and need is to be loved, be safe, stable and have a place to call home.

“When they come to you so broken, and you get to watch as they change and open up over time, it’s hard to describe how that feels.

“I believe the most important thing you can give to the kids is love. They’re children, and they first and foremost need to be loved — then comes the stability, consistency, routine, nutrition and exercise.”

Figures obtained by the Townsville Bulletin show there were 642 foster families in NQ caring for 1075 children in care as of March 31.

Jodie said she pours her “heart and soul” into caring for foster children as if they were her own, but she also recognises the importance of including biological parents throughout the journey where possible.

“When I have the children, all they want is to be with family,” she said.

“We always talk about family — whether it’s mum, dad or grandma. It’s where kids want to belong, and they want to go back to family — it’s where they should be.

“I engage the children’s mums and/or dads by sending them photos. If it’s mum’s birthday, we make a cake together, and then we go and choose a present together, and they take that to family visits.

“I feel really privileged that I’m able to look after these children in a safe environment until their mum, dad or kin is in a position to care for them again.”

Originally published as Townsville foster carer Jodie speaks on ‘misconceptions’ of kids in care