Simon’s still in need of a home

Sydney
21 July 2002

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Simon’s still in need of a home

By Kathleen Carmody

Centacare NSW has once more put out the call for a family to adopt young Simon*, the neglected and abused child who has spent two years in foster care.

Jan McGregor, Simon’s case worker, said there had been a great response to previous stories published in The Catholic Weekly about six-year-old Simon, but that the applicants – while well-meaning – were unsuitable, either by way of location or family make-up.

“They were not what he needs… we’re finding a family for him, we’re not finding a child for a family. We have to get it right.”

Ms McGregor said the specific type of family Centacare is seeking for Simon lives in the Sydney metropolitan area (Simon has two sisters in Sydney with whom he is in regular contact), and has older children – aged no younger than 9 or 10. The parents would ideally have some experience dealing with adolescents.

“He also needs to be in a family that’s involved in sport and is quite athletic. He’s a very physical child who does really well in sport,” Ms McGregor said.

Simon was taken into care at the age of four after experiencing horrific abuse and neglect. He currently has no contact with his birth parents. He is living with a temporary foster family, whom he loves, but he knows the arrangement isn’t permanent.

Ms McGregor says that the situation is urgent; Simon needs the stability of a long-term family. Also, the older a child gets, the harder it is to adjust to a new family.

“He’s been in temporary care for two years. We see it as urgent … but the family has to be right; we can’t get it wrong ... If he knows that he’s going to be (in a family) until he’s 18, it gives him much greater stability and security.

“With stability he will achieve in life,” Ms McGregor said.

Her charge is very affectionate and very sociable, his case worker affirms.

“He’s a happy and very lively kid.”

If you think that Simon would fit into your family, Centacare would love to hear from you. Please contact Jan McGregor on 9793 7522.

You may not be right for Simon, but if you are interested in foster care and would like to know more, Centacare is holding a general information session on July 31 from 7pm to 9pm at 8 Jacobs St, Bankstown. There are all kinds of foster care including weekend respite, crisis and short-term care. All foster parents receive an allowance towards the cost of care.