Foster carer will share her experience to empower others

Ensuring children experience safety, love and stability to thrive has been a lifelong commitment for Murraylands mother Niki Borchardt.

In addition to raising her own children, she has provided a foster home with her husband for young people in need of care before joining the AC Care team as a key support worker for other carers.

“The rewards have always absolutely outweighed the challenges, knowing that even if you only cared for a child for a week, you were making a difference,” she said.

“I had one little boy with me who couldn't sleep in a bed and couldn’t listen to a story, but within a week of good routine, support, love and care was happy to go to bed and could actually sit and enjoy a story.”

The Borchardts first became foster carers when they decided to welcome children into their Murraylands home, in addition to their five sons.

“There were three main children we had for longer periods and then lots of other kids coming and going,” Ms Borchardt said.

She explained that children loved the freedom of their farm environment, collecting eggs from the chickens and checking on cows and sheep on the property.

“Overall, it was just like having extra siblings in the house,” she said.

“We were already used to footy on the weekends and it was just another child to tag along - there's just so many children out there that need that ... just love and support.”

At times it was difficult, when there were occasions of challenging behaviour as children struggled emotionally, but she was always supported.

“Your heart breaks for the children when that's happening, but our case worker at the time was just amazing and made such a difference to our journey, particularly when there were tricky times,” Ms Borchardt said.

“She could help me to advocate for the child's needs and be a sounding board as someone who understood children who have experienced trauma.”

Ms Borchardt received training which helped her understand the impact of trauma and other factors on children’s lives.

“You might not understand at the time how the learning as a foster carer is going to help you, but then a situation will come up and you realise you have the tools you need,” she said.

As the needs of Ms Borchardt’s family changed, she moved from providing foster care to supporting those who do, joining AC Care’s team at Murray Bridge as a case worker.

“I still wanted to be a part of the system of supporting children in care to be able to support carers in the way I was supported,” she said.

“There are all sorts of ways that we support our carers and different carers have different needs.”

This support ranges from direct assistance to individuals, a 24-seven helpline, trainings and networking opportunities.

“We love celebrating carers and the wonderful job they do,” Ms Borchardt said.

She encouraged people who had considered becoming foster carers to learn more and take the next step.

“It's absolutely worth doing and makes such a difference for children,” she said.

“We need lots more foster carers so children can experience family-based care in loving homes with lots of support around them – it's enriching and rewarding no matter which type of care you provide.”

• Hear Ms Borchardt's story: Visit St George's Bakehouse at Murray Bridge Marketplace from 10am-12pm next Wednesday, December 4.
• Find out more about foster care: Visit accare.org.au, call 1300 222 274,
  email care@accare.org.au or drop in to AC Care’s offices at 29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge.