All he needs is a home and a family with love

Sydney
28 April 2002

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All he needs is a home and a family with love

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All he needs is a home and a family with love

By Kathleen Carmody

Centacare is appealing to families to consider taking on the permanent care of a very special child. Simon* is an affectionate six-year-old who has been in and out of foster care for two years.

Centacare says that Simon has spent too long in short-term care and needs a permanent family to give him stability and the opportunity to develop.

Jan McGregor, of Centacare, says Simon is a lovely kid with brown hair and brown eyes and a cheeky grin.

He was taken into care at the age of four after suffering abuse and neglect.

Although he has limited contact with his birth father, he has not seen his birth mother since 2000.

He has two younger sisters whom he sees reg ularly.

Because of his early experiences, Ms McGregor says, Simon can be demanding and will push the boundaries.

He responds well to discipline, however, and would need a family who could set firm limits for him.

“Simon needs a family,” Ms McGregor said. “He’s a bright kid, but he needs to be stable.”

His current carers, Gia and Michael Jenkins, said that Simon has been a delight.

“He’s been really good, and he’s happy to be here. He gets on well with the children, especially my son who’s a year older,” said foster mother Gia.

But, although they are extremely fond of him, Gia and Michael are not in a position to take Simon on permanently. Simon will stay with them until a permanent home can be found for him.

A big change for Simon this year has been starting school. He loves his teacher and his fellow classmates, but he’s having a bit of trouble settling in.

His concentration lapses, so he can’t complete given tasks. Despite this, he is talkative and bright and full of questions.

Gia Jenkins said she thought Simon needed parents who could give him more time and attention, particularly with schoolwork and sporting activities.

“He’s keen to play soccer … he’s desperate to be part of a team and would love to do that,” she said.

“Family environment is good for him, he seems to be happy.

“He does love other children, loves playing with them; he gets on well with other children.”

Simon has made enormous gains in his current foster family, Ms McGregor said, and would be best placed in a similar family - ideally a family with one or two other children.

His emotional development is about a year behind his chronological age but, with the stability of a permanent family, he is expected to catch up quickly.

“Simon is a child who requires activity,” Ms McGregor said. “A family that is energetic, with an interest in children’s sport, will be an advantage.

“A busy household with a family who give cuddles and demonstrates affection will see Simon blossom in his development.”

For more information, please call Jan McGregor at Centacare on 9793 7522.