An exploration of the self-care practices of foster carers in Australia

Practising self-care is vital for foster carers to cope with the stresses of caring role, provide best care possible and continue in their task. This current study contributes emerging research on practices Australia worldwide. It used an exploratory design, surveying 148 about conducting individual, semi-structured interviews enabling nine them elaborate experiences. The results indicate that while participants sometimes engage value it as a way maintaining wellbeing increasing caregiving capacity, they face several barriers doing this. These include multiple responsibilities carer children’s commitments, employment finances. Facilitators social family support, contact other respite. Foster agencies out-of-home system should aim meet needs by providing increased resources education.