Why Phillipa keeps going after ten years of fostering
One year on from her QLD Child Protection Volunteer award, Phillipa continues to change lives through fostering, offering care and hope
When a child enters care, they carry a story no one asked them to write. Some arrive with fear. Some with anger. Some with heartbreak.
This week, for National Child Protection Week, we pause to recognise the people who step in to hold those stories. Foster & kinship carers. They don’t always see themselves as extraordinary, but the strength, love, and guidance they provide can change the course of a child or young person’s life.
Phillipa Fleming, Key Assets Australia, Queensland Foster Carer, has been one of those steady hands for over ten years, offering children and young people a safe place to call home for however long is needed. As we reflect on Phillipa’s journey, it’s also been a year since she was awarded with the Queensland Child Protection Volunteer Award. With her permission, we’re sharing her impactful story.
A journey ten years in the making
Fostering was always something Phillipa wanted to do, and it was something that her and her ex-husband had spoken about doing together as they were unable to have children of their own. Later separated, Phillipa continued to pursue her dream of becoming a foster carer and set out on this journey on her own. Then life took a different turn. When her 17-year-old nephew asked to move in with her, she put her foster care journey on hold after becoming approved foster carer.
That time, though outside the formal system, gave her a real insight into kinship care, the joys and the responsibility it carries. It showed her what it really takes to stand alongside a young person during tough times. Phillipa (now 56 years old) has a degree in Criminology and a Major in Psychology prior to caring for her nephew and has experience working in mental health, residential care, homelessness and Youth Justice.
Once her nephew was settled, Phillipa returned to fostering. Her first placement came after an encounter with foster carers and two little boys they were caring for and in an unexpected twist, the first child Phillipa welcomed into her home was the two little boy’s older brother. Over the last decade, she has cared for children of all ages, navigating highs, lows, and countless lessons along the way. As she says, it’s been “quite the journey.”
“When kids have safety, stability, routine and nurturing in their lives, the changes you see are amazing. That has been the biggest joy over the years.”
The joys and challenges
Phillipa has seen changes that stay with you. A young boy faced health challenges that initially caused concern for the care team. With ongoing support from Phillipa, the child made steady progress and Philipa expressed the joy of witnessing their growth and renewed confidence over time. Phillipa has seen lots of children overcome their challenges after receiving lots of love, consistency, and routine.
But fostering comes with its challenges. There is the grief of children moving on, the uncertainty of what their future will hold, and the emotional weight that comes with saying goodbye. Even with those hard moments, Phillipa continues. For her, fostering is about
“Filling the gap, for however long it’s needed.”
Phillipa shared that one of the most meaningful parts of fostering has been supporting reunifications, when they are carefully planned and in the best interests of the child. Phillipa places strong value on building relationships with children’s birth families, recognising that outcomes are often far better when carers and families can work together, where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Overall, Phillipa acknowledges that despite the challenges, grief, and loss that she experiences when children leave her care, the joy she gets from seeing children thrive and return home to family or community far outweighs the challenging aspects of fostering.
What the Volunteer Award meant
When Phillipa received the 2024 Queensland Child Protection Volunteer Award, she was surprised. For her, it felt like recognition not just for herself, but for the families and care teams she works alongside. Her nomination highlighted how she supported a young First Nation’s boy to safely return to his family and community: a moment of deep honour.
“I feel very grateful and proud of the reason behind my nomination — working with the care team and the child’s grandmother so he could return home.”
Phillipa expressed how she would like to use her award to do support in creating more positive change, particularly in areas of reunifications and kinship care.
Why Phillipa keeps going
For Phillipa, it’s the quiet, lasting connections that matter most. Not long ago, a mother of two children she once cared for 4-5 years ago reached out to say her children still talk fondly about “Mumma Phillipa.” They’re planning a reunion soon.
“It means the world to me that parents trust me to care for their children while they are unable. It’s the children that keep me going.”
Over her 10 years as a foster carer, Phillipa has built some wonderful friendships, connections she says are vital in a role that can sometimes feel isolating. She’s also seen a positive shift in recent years, with far more opportunities for carers to connect, share experiences and support one another, something she’s deeply grateful for.
Advice for new foster carers
Phillipa doesn’t sugarcoat the experience of fostering, but she offers guidance from her own lived care experience:
“Think of yourself as filling the gap — you are part of the child’s journey while families navigate a difficult time.”
“Know your own limits. Sometimes you’re not the right fit for a child or young person, and that’s okay.”
“Upskill yourself, ask questions, build your support network, and learn from mistakes.”
“Don’t stop doing the things you love. Self-care matters — for me, that’s watching AFL.”
“Yes, fostering is hard, but it’s the small changes you see in children that make you keep going.”
Reflecting on National Child Protection Week
National Child Protection Week is coordinated by National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and is a chance to take stock of where we are and think about what comes next. Australia has made progress, but there’s more to do. Across the country, over 45,000 children live in out-of-home care (OOHC). The need for foster carers has never been greater.
The assessment process to become a foster carer can take time and not to discourage. It’s not about turning people away; it’s about placing children with carers and families who can provide stable, culturally responsive care and be realistic about the supports each child or young person needs. This safeguards wellbeing, promotes positive development and gives children and young people the stability they need while in OOHC.
If Phillipa’s story moved you, perhaps it’s no coincidence.
Maybe it’s your moment to ask:
Could I be that steady hand, that safe place, that stable placement a child truly needs?
Could I offer the care, understanding, and realistic support a child requires to feel safe and able to navigate life’s challenges?
Phillipa’s story is a reminder that fostering isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, time and again, with patience, resilience and care. This impact can last a lifetime.
Could that difference start with you? What role might you play?
Visit www.canifoster.com.au or call our team on 1800 932 273 for a genuine conversation about what fostering could look like for you.
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