Kaylie, 30 and Simon, 32, have three children of their own aged from four to 12 and have been fostering for three years, since their youngest was a year old.
“I love it!” states Kaylie, who grew up close to an aunt who fostered.
The couple specialise is looking after children up to the age of two: “Our first placement was two days old when he arrived and 15 months old when he left,” she said.
“It was awful when he went but I believe the day I don’t get upset when a child leaves there is no point in doing this role.
“Our children have realised they play a big part in making a difference in the lives of the children we look after. When they come home from school they play with our current foster placement, a little girl, and bond with her while I am in mum mode. I tell them they are giving her what she has never had, siblings.”
Kaylie says: “As long as you have patience and are willing to put in the effort then you will be fine. It does get hard; they are not your children and you have to deal with their families and their problems.”