Journey of love for foster care family
People
Long-term foster carers Ashlee and Michael are counting their blessings after welcoming a second child into their family through Centacare’s Foster Care Program.
The couple’s message to others is simple – find out more about how to become a foster carer.
“I would urge other couples to start the journey because at any point you can put your journey on hold, whether it’s when you’re getting training or being assessed…there’s no harm in trying because you might meet some really special people,” Ashlee says as she kisses her 11-month-old foster child.
“There are lots of little people out there who need forever homes, but people don’t know about it.”
Ashlee, a former teacher and Michael, a doctor, began their journey with the Foster Care Program in 2022.
Married in their early 40s, they didn’t have any biological children and had thought about fostering but were both working full-time and travelling quite a bit.
“We always wanted to have children in the home we had this idea that it would be good to foster but I don’t think we knew enough about it,” Ashlee said.
After learning from a newspaper article that foster carers are permitted to travel interstate and even overseas with the children in their care, the couple realised fostering could complement their current lifestyle rather than require them to completely reshape it.
After researching different foster care agencies, the couple opted for the program run by Centacare Catholic Community Services, partly because Michael’s family had a strong connection to the Catholic Church and also because it offered a more personal, relationship‑focused experience.
Michael said he was impressed by the foster carer who spoke at the first information session and had a “really practical approach”.
The assessment process involved a number of home visits, each spanning a couple of hours, and became an opportunity for open conversation—a chance for their Assessment Officer Nicole to “get to know us,” they explained. Nicole guided them through the assessment with care and clarity. She discussed not only the practical requirements but also the potential challenges, encouraging them to consider how they might respond to a range of situations that can arise in foster care.
“They wanted us to be really honest in that process,” Ashlee said.
“It was really valuable and we got a lot out of it – there were questions that normal married couples probably never discuss.”
An important part of their journey with Centacare was ensuring they were matched appropriately with a child. Ashlee said while they were open to all types of foster caring, they needed to make sure it was the right fit for them. Reflecting on their first child coming into their care, Ashlee said “For the first child it was really important because we didn’t have any other children in our care.” “What does that look like when the little person leaves our house? That was something I couldn’t get my head around; it was a real emotional challenge.”
After a nine-month enquiry, information and assessment process and within a year of connecting with Centacare, she and Michael were introduced to a 14-month-old boy who had been in care since birth.
Ashlee had already stopped working, which made it easier to care for a younger child on a full-time, long-term basis.
“The decision was that we were going to take him on forever – that was a big decision.”
The day they first met their foster child in September 2023 is one they will never forget.
“I remember when we were sitting down having a cup of tea and he pokes his head around and walks through the door, he wanted to know what was going on,” Michael said.
“He was a beautiful little boy.”
Ashlee said there was an instant connection between both the child and his short-term carer at the time, a retired nurse who has become a good friend of the family.
After six weeks of “drop-offs and pick-ups” which increased in length and frequency, it was time for Ashlee to take him home.
“His first night with us was wonderful…it was just joy.”
Michael said there were no issues with him settling in.
“He’s a ripper,” he said proudly.
Every six weeks, a Centacare Carer Support Practitioner visits the family. The couple also reflected that there are good connections with some of the children’s birth family members.
When Michael and Ashlee considered fostering a second child in 2025, they were open to any opportunity because they understood that “helping a little child get back to its birth family is actually really empowering”.
“And we were more emotionally able to cope with that,” she added.
“So we said let’s open the door, what will be will be, and after four weeks of signing papers, we got a call to say there was a little person who just had long term orders and could go into long term care.”
With the child only seven months old, there was a shorter transition period and within four weeks Ashlee and Michael became a family of four. Caring for a baby for the first time had its usual challenges and there has been a little sibling rivalry over toys, but otherwise Ashlee said “it’s worked out beautifully”.
“There’s so much joy, we’ve been extremely blessed with two little boys,” she said.
“It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”
If this story has sparked your interest in making a difference, Centacare is currently welcoming people from all walks of life to explore becoming foster carers. The first step is simply attending an information session, where you can learn about the different types of care, the support available, and what the journey could look like for you.
To find an upcoming session or make an enquiry, visit Becoming a foster carer | Centacare Catholic Community Services or email fostercareenquiries@centacare.org.au, or call 08 8159 1400.
