Christchurch parents cared for nearly 200 foster children
When Tracy Inwood held her first foster child’s new baby, it reinforced why she became a caregiver.
It had been 18 years since she and husband Phil took him in as a 9-year-old. The couple have fostered ‘‘probably a couple of hundred’’ children since and remain in contact with many of them.
‘‘It really was lovely to be considered part of [the new father’s] family,’’ she said. ‘‘We consider him part of our family, but to have that reciprocated is just lovely. It really makes you feel all warm inside and it’s all worthwhile.’’
Yesterday, Tracy and Phil Inwood were recognised for the nearly two decades they had given to Child, Youth and Family, now Oranga Tamariki, in a ceremony at the Beehive in Wellington.
Minister for Children Tracey Martin presented 10 ‘‘extraordinary’’ caregivers Excellence in Foster Care Awards to mark the end of Foster Care Awareness Week.
The Inwoods most often took children on an emergency basis, where Oranga Tamariki ‘‘ring us up and say ‘look we need you for tonight because a child’s been uplifted and they need to go somewhere right now’,’’ Tracy Inwood, a Beckenham Te Kura o Pu¯ roto school teacher, said.
But sometimes, ‘‘by accident’’ or ‘‘because the child fits in with the family’’, they end up staying long-term, she said.
More than a decade ago, a 14-year-old girl arrived and ended up staying about two years.
‘‘She sort of hit rock bottom when she was with us but she completely turned her life around and she’s a preschool teacher, she’s married and she’s got a house and we’re still in touch.
‘‘It’s just been fabulous seeing her really grow.’’
The Inwoods’ children took on ‘‘the big brother and big sister roles’’ with their foster siblings.
Their daughter, now 23, was a school teacher and might also become a caregiver. She and her partner were approved to look after the Inwoods’ foster children while they on holiday in Australia last year.
Tracy Inwood said being a teacher helped her relate to the children, but anyone could be a caregiver.
‘‘If you can, do it. It helps the community so much and it enriches your life as well.’’
Other recipients of the Excellence in Foster Care Awards included Christchurch-based Janice Goodgame, who had fostered four children in 16 years.