Residential care workers share why they work Christmas Day
Christmas
Jane and Julia are residential care workers in one of our residential care units – a small group home for young people – in our Northern region.
“Anyone who works in out-of-home care knows the impact holidays and celebrations, such as Christmas, can have on the young people that are not living with family,” said Jane.
Year after year, Jane and Julia have worked through Christmas Day to provide the kids in their care with the safety, consistency and joy they desperately deserve. This year is no different.
Building connections with young people in residential care
For both Jane and Julia, working Christmas Day in their residential care home gives them more opportunities to connect with the young people.
“Of course, there are many daily opportunities to build relationships and show support for our young people, but to be with them on a day like Christmas is a gift for a carer,” said Jane.
“One of the greatest gifts a carer can give the young person in their care is presence,” added Julia.
I welcome the opportunity to be a familiar and predictable presence for the young people in my residential care home on Christmas Day. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with my colleagues to make the house pretty and full of Christmas treats, colour and smells.
Julia adds that working through Christmas at their residential care home provides much-needed consistency for the young people in care.
“Our young people are important and valued. They deserve to feel a sense of family and care on Christmas Day,” said Julia.
Christmas is one of the hardest times for our young people in out-of-home care and it’s vital they have support from people who have good knowledge of what they may need to feel safe and supported.
Residential homes offer so much, but safety is at the forefront
Out-of-home care, which includes foster, kinship and residential care, provides a safe and nurturing home for children and young people who are unable to live safely with their family.
“Berry Street’s residential care program strives to enhance and enrich young people’s lives and give them opportunities to learn and grow,” said Julia.
Both Jane and Julia agreed that one of the most rewarding parts of their jobs is being able to provide a safe and secure environment for a child or young person, especially as many have experienced abuse or neglect.
For me, it’s all about that moment when the young person understands that they have safety in our house. You can see the moment on their face when they understand you have unconditional positive regard for them.
Thank you to Jane and Julia, and all Berry Street staff working through Christmas, for everything they do to help children and young people in care be safe, thriving and hopeful.
You can support young people in out-of-home care this Christmas
Every year, thousands of Victorian children and young people can’t live safely at home and enter out-of-home care.
With your help, we can make sure all young people in care have a special gift to wake up to on Christmas morning, this could be new clothes or a pair of shoes that they really want – something that makes them feel like they fit in and feel good about themselves.
Many of these children otherwise wouldn’t receive a Christmas gift. For some, it may be the first or only Christmas gift they receive.
Video: Foster care worker shares important Christmas message
