‘It’s your job to help your kids reach their full potential’

Val Bettens’ home is as big as her heart. Not only is she a single mum to six kids, but she’s also looked after more than 10 foster children, numerous “extras” who have been dr dropped off by police in the middle oof the night, and those who needed a placepl to stay. She’s also now theth legal guardian of Lincoln, sseven, and recently finishe finished a teaching degree. “Ii’ve been in some pre pretty dark places in m my life where I’ve n needed support and f for whatever reason t that wasn’t there, s so you never want t to see someone e else go through tha that,” explains Val, 57, a domestic violence survivor.

Because of her selflessness, Val has been named Barnardos Mother of the Year for South Australia after being nominated by her daughter Stephanie.

“Mum raised us as a single parent, fighting fearlessly and ferociously for every service, every therapy and early intervention, and every form of school support for my autistic and intellectually disabled brothers,” 23-year-old Stephanie explains.

“No baby chooses to be born, so along with having the child comes responsibility,” Val says. “It’s your job as their parent to help them develop to their best potential, and you can never stop supporting them,”