Dot Cochrane has dedicated the past 15 years of her life to fostering, and though she’s retired from a long career as a neonatal nurse, she’s not retired from giving back. Having welcomed around 50 children into her home over the years—mostly babies and toddlers—Dot has provided everything from emergency placements lasting a few days to long-term care for little ones who needed a safe and loving environment. Today, she’s enjoying some time off and dotes on Bella, her adopted 3-year-old Groodle, who’s become her constant companion.
Dot’s journey into fostering began with a deep love for children, especially babies. “Since I was a little girl, I’ve always enjoyed being around kids,” she recalls. Growing up in a large family full of little ones, Dot knew she wanted to look after children but had to wait until her elderly parents had passed so she could fully dedicate herself to fostering. Even as a child, she says, “I was more interested in watching someone feed a baby than meeting Santa Claus,” a sign of the nurturing nature that would guide her throughout her life.
One memorable moment that stands out for Dot is when a little boy who had been in her care for eight months came running to her at a community event. “He just ran straight to me and hugged me tightly,” she recalls. It was a moment that reminded her of the profound impact she has on the children she cares for, even if they’re only with her for a short time. “It doesn’t matter how long they stay; you leave an impression on them, just like they leave one on you,” she says.
Dot’s family and friends have been unwavering in their support, which has made a world of difference in her fostering experience. “It takes a village to raise a child, and I’m lucky to have mine,” she says gratefully. Her family brings joy and positivity to the children in her care, and her neighbours often step in with meals, a chat, or a check-in. “Even if they’re not directly involved with the child, they’re there for me so I can be there for them.”
For those considering fostering, Dot is candid. “Have a BIG think about it,” she says, adding that it’s essential to talk it over with your family, especially if you have biological children. “Get on board with other foster carers in your area, create a network, and learn from them. It’s a very important role but a tough one.” Dot also advises considering children close in age to your own if you have kids. “There’s a big difference between routines for a 10-year-old and a 10-month-old, and mixing the two can sometimes be hard for everyone involved.”
While she loves caring for children, Dot admits that fostering isn’t without challenges. She found herself needing to focus on babies because caring for older children took an emotional toll. “I realised it was too hard on my mental health to support older kids with the trauma they’ve been through, so I decided to care for little ones six months or younger,” she explains. But her love for children keeps her going. “My motivation has always been children. When I was a kid, I’d much rather be around babies than doing anything else. That’s just who I am.”
Dot also sees ways the system could better support foster carers, starting with the practical side of things. She describes the frustration of not having a Medicare card when a new child arrives, particularly if they need medical attention. “I was lucky to have a GP willing to wait for payment until I could get the Medicare card, but it took weeks of daily calls to sort out. For babies, DFFH should just issue generic cards at placement.” Another key improvement she hopes for is consistent staff support from agencies. “During my first year, my DFFH case manager changed four times, and my agency worker changed three. It’s disruptive and stressful,” she says.
Dot is especially concerned about the lack of consistency with transport staff during family visits. “Sometimes, a child in your care might have daily family visits, which means five different people picking them up in one week. Agencies say a child shouldn’t move carers frequently because it’s unsettling, so why would they think it’s okay for different people to come and go daily? Children need stability and familiar faces, and that needs to be part of the support system.”
Dot’s life has been all about care, patience, and creating a sense of safety and stability for children who need it most. She knows the value of patience and persistence in getting to know a child’s story, even when they’re too young to tell it themselves. “You need to keep reaching out, keep asking until you know their background. It helps you help them,” she says, underlining the dedication that makes her such a committed and inspiring carer.
