Carer Profile: Vicki Botoulas
Vicki Botoulas and her husband have been married for 20 years, sharing a deep bond shaped by both joy and heartbreak. After the devastating loss of their son at just nine weeks old, Vicki, a retired nurse, and her husband found a new path in life through fostering. Inspired by her husband’s simple suggestion to “try fostering,” they embarked on life as foster carers. Eleven years later, they have cared for 25 children and are currently raising two young girls, aged seven and nine, who have each been with them for several years.
Vicki’s fostering journey has been marked by moments of quiet triumph. One of the girls arrived at seven months old and was extremely anxious, it was a moment to cherish when she finally felt safe enough to let Vicki step away without panic. Or when the girls, who once rarely smiled or spoke, began laughing, talking, and showing happiness. These transformations, she says, are the most rewarding part of the experience.
While fostering has brought great purpose to their lives, it hasn’t come without sacrifice. Some family relationships were lost when relatives chose to distance themselves due to misconceptions about children in care. However, Vicki and her husband have found a strong support system among close friends and have built a community that helps carry them through the more difficult times.
Challenges are ever-present, especially when dealing with the Department. Vicki often finds herself advocating fiercely for the children in her care, whether it's fighting for access to services, mental health support, or simply getting medication approved. Delays and bureaucratic barriers frustrate her deeply, particularly when they affect vulnerable children who urgently need help. She believes systemic improvements are long overdue and joins the FCAV in advocating for improvements such as automatic mental health assessments and packages for all children in care and strict timeframes for critical decisions, like medication approvals.
Despite these challenges, Vicki remains committed. She finds joy in watching the children grow and heal, knowing she has made a real difference. But she doesn’t sugar-coat the reality of fostering. It’s emotionally demanding, financially tight, and can put strain on relationships. That’s why her advice to new carers is to start with respite or short-term care to get a sense of what fostering truly involves. And, she adds candidly, “don’t expect to have any money left over.”
What keeps Vicki going is simple: the children. Their resilience, their growth, their smiles. Through love, patience, and relentless advocacy, she continues to provide them with the safety and care they need and deserve.