Mark's Story
Carers need to be trusted to use their judgement.
“When Luke was about 14, my agency brought in a new policy. Every fireplace needed a fire guard around it so kids wouldn't get burnt. But here's the thing: we live on a property. Luke goes out and cuts the firewood with a chainsaw and an axe. He lights the fire every night. We're burning off paddocks, doing farm work. He's doing all of this safely, learning skills and being trusted.
I said to them, this doesn't make sense for our situation. It wasn’t age appropriate. If I had a two year old crawling around who might touch the fire, absolutely, I get it. But this is a 14 year old who lights the fire every night. A fire guard isn't going to protect him.
They told me I had to. Policy is policy.
I said I wouldn't be doing it. And that was basically written up as me refusing to comply. Like I was some kind of dangerous carer.
It was policy over common sense.
You know, I don't like institutionalised practices. Which so many of organisations are. It's all about ticking and flicking, you know. A caseworker comes out once a month, tells us what we need to do, does a bedroom check, then we don't see or hear from anyone again for another month till it's time to do that tick again.
I think carers need to be trusted to use their judgement. We're the ones living with these kids day in and day out. We know what they need.”
- Mark, an experienced foster carer (name changed to protect privacy). Photograph provided by Mark
When asked why Mark* chose this photo, this is what he said.
“This fireplace reminds me of the out-of-home care system and the children within it. Raw, earthy, and rustic - built from strong, natural foundations. But also pieced together in straight, confined blocks, shaped and contained by what’s around them. Each stone tells its own story - rough edges, different shades, imperfect but holding firm together. Just like foster children - resilient, chiseled, a rough and tough facade but so much warmth behind it, beautiful in their rawness, yet living within a system that tries to square off their edges to make them fit. Still, even within those walls, there’s so much warmth, purpose, and heart - because what’s built with love, care and authenticity only has positive outcomes for all of those who are part of it… those who nurture, those who support, and most of all, those who finally find a place to belong.”