At Premier Community, care isn’t just a job—it’s a calling that lives deep in the hearts of our team. Every day, our care staff go above and beyond to bring warmth, dignity, and compassion into the homes of those we support. But sometimes, that spirit of care extends even further.
Today, we’re proud to share a story that beautifully embodies our core values—family, respect, and love in action. One of our exceptional care professionals, Kim, and her partner have recently been approved as foster carers. Their journey into fostering is not only inspiring but also a testament to how deeply rooted the value of care is in everything they do.
The Road to Becoming a Foster Carer
The fostering approval process is as thorough as it is important. Kim shares that it involved 8+ visits from a social worker over 12–16 weeks, each visit diving deep into their lives, backgrounds, and home environment. They completed a multi-section ‘homework’ document, a three-day Skills to Foster course, and gathered references—from former colleagues to family members. Kim even chuckled at how one reference came from her teenage job at a fish and chip shop!
“They really want to understand who you are, what you’ve experienced, and how you’d manage the challenges that come with fostering,” Kim says.
Motivation Rooted in Experience and Empathy
For Kim and her husband, fostering was born out of personal experiences and a desire to provide the kind of support that can change a child’s life. After struggling with fertility, they wanted to explore new ways to build their family—and what they found was a powerful sense of purpose.
Her husband, a full-time wheelchair user after a cycling accident, brings a unique and personal insight into trauma, resilience, and healing. Kim’s background as a teacher and now a home care professional has given her the patience and empathy to nurture young lives.
“We want to support young children between 4–8 initially,” Kim explains. “But as we gain more experience, we’re open to supporting older children too.”
Skills That Transfer Seamlessly
What stands out in Kim’s story is how seamlessly her care role at Premier Community translates into the world of fostering. The empathy, adaptability, safeguarding awareness, and people-first approach honed in her professional life provide a solid foundation for their new family chapter.
It’s a reminder that carers don’t just work with compassion—they live it.
Facing the Unknown with Courage and Hope
Of course, stepping into the world of fostering comes with its own fears and uncertainties. Kim acknowledges the challenges ahead, but she and her husband are grounded in a strong support network—their family, friends, and Premier colleagues have all been incredibly encouraging. Her in-laws are even getting their home assessed so they can help provide respite care.
And the training doesn’t stop at approval. From first aid to autism awareness and mental health support, continuous learning is part of the commitment.
“We’re most excited to see a young person thrive in our home,” Kim says. “To be part of their journey toward stability and happiness.”
The Premier Difference
At Premier Community, we believe that our people are the heart of everything we do. Kim’s story is just one example of the extraordinary people who make up our team—people who care not just during work hours, but every moment of their lives.
This is who we are: carers, role models, and community builders.
We’re proud of Kim and her partner, and we wish them every joy and success as they begin this incredible journey in fostering.
