The Southern Cross | December 2023

If Lucy Cassar had her way, she would be mum to 10 kids, but for now she is more than happy being a full-time foster carer to “the best child in the universe”.

Growing up in a loving family, Lucy said she always wanted to care for a child and that fostering had been on her radar for a while.

“But I thought you needed to have a husband and family before you could consider it,” she told The Southern Cross.

However, when COVID hit, the former business owner and wedding manager for a party hire company said it put everything “into perspective” and she decided to pursue her dream.

After attending an information session she quickly knew this was for her. She commenced her training with the Centacare Foster Care Program and 18 months ago quit her job to become a full-time long-term carer to a gorgeous little girl who is now four.

“She is a specialist care child as she has autism and developmental delay,” Lucy explained.

Lucy (main picture) said it was amazing to witness the child’s personality growing and their development. Some major milestones that have brought “tears to her eyes” have included her foster child giving her a “big bear hug” and making eye contact with her for the first time.

Agreeing it was a big adjustment for everyone when she took on the role of a foster carer, Lucy said she couldn’t have done it without the support of her extended family.

“My siblings are the best aunties and uncles in the universe and my parents are the best grandparents…they are all obsessed (with her), so I’ve had to put some limits on the Christmas presents,” she laughed.

Celebrating Christmas is important for the large Maltese family and Lucy is making sure it is a special time for her foster child.

At home they have put up a tree which the child has decorated with butterflies and the obligatory photo with Santa was taken weeks ago.

On Christmas day her foster child’s biological sibling will also be part of the celebrations.

“It’s hugely important to have contact with the birth family and their sibling is coming on Christmas day, so that will be exciting,” Lucy said.

The two siblings get together once a week and they enjoyed making gingerbread houses together in the lead up to Christmas.

Reflecting on her experience in the foster care program, Lucy said the initial information session was “very helpful” in answering her many questions and when she signed up, the support from Centacare was “amazing”.

“Foster care is a team situation. You are working with the Department (for Child Protection), with Centacare and the birth family so everyone goes in with empathy – and everybody’s interest is
100 per cent for the child,” she said.

“As a long-term foster carer you need unconditional love, have a good support network and a good team around you and self-care is also important.”

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