When Majella talks about the rewards of fostering, she doesn’t reach for grand theories. She talks about children – the way they settle into their foster home, the way their behaviours begin to soften, and the way joy returns in the small, everyday moments. Majella shares:
The biggest reward of fostering is seeing a child flourish – the behaviours subsiding, and the joy that comes with very simple things in life.
These moments are more than milestones – they’re signs that healing is happening. If you’ve fostered, you’ll recognise that picture instantly. It’s the dinner-table chats that get a little easier. Bedtime that doesn’t take quite as long. A child who starts to laugh again. Those are the markers that tell you your home is working as a safe base.
Majella has seen this journey many times in her work with foster families. She describes how, once a child’s basic needs are consistently met and routines feel dependable, something shifts. Children begin to respond more calmly; they try new things; they meet the day with more confidence. In her words, you look back and see a home “where the child was thriving, responding and starting to flourish.”
Progress in foster care isn’t instant – it’s a slow, sweeping rhythm that comes in waves. It’s the gentle, dependable routine of ordinary days that creates a sense of safety and stability for children. Food on the table at the same time each day. Spending time together baking buns. Having a chat on the school run.
These small moments build into something powerful. What they offer is warmth, encouragement, predictability – and a wee sprinkle of joy. That’s the fertile soil children need in order to grow.
It’s not always immediate, but in time, children begin to trust that the world around them won’t fall apart – and that’s when a child's confidence, creativity and curiosity start to flourish too.
Progress in foster care isn’t always linear, and tough days still happen. That’s why Origins wraps practical support around every carer – that support comes in the form of a dedicated Link Worker, 24/7 on-call help, and a real community of other foster carers.
You can also hear from Nicola O’Neill on why her motto of “don’t do it on your own” has become her go-to advice for any new foster carers, and how feeling listened to is “half the battle.”
The right insight – and a trauma-informed approach – can make a profound difference in how we respond as foster carers.
Leah shares how Origins' trauma-informed model helps carers better understand behaviour, communicate more effectively, and feel more confident in their role.
It’s just one example of how the specialist support at Origins makes day-to-day care not only more manageable – but more meaningful.
And if you’re thinking about fostering, it’s support like this that can make all the difference, from your very first step, and every step after.
→ Learn more about the supports Origins provides every foster carer
→ Explore our Become a Foster Carer page to see how you can get started fostering
→ Join one of our upcoming online Fostering Info Sessions
→ Or Apply Online to Become a Foster Carer if you're ready to take the next step
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
