Have you ever wondered whether you ‘have what it takes’ to become a foster carer?

Become a foster carer today!

If you have been researching becoming a foster carer you will have probably realised that, although it can be an immensely rewarding career, it is far from an easy option as you will be providing care and support to some very vulnerable and damaged young people.

There are some important things to consider;

Are you a patient and understanding person?
Sometimes, especially in the early stages of fostering a child it can feel frustrating that your foster child doesn’t seem to acknowledge all your efforts to support them and help them settle. This doesn’t mean that your efforts aren’t appreciated! Foster children have often experienced a great deal of disappointment in their lives and are wary when it comes to developing relationship and displaying their emotions. This is where your patience and understanding will be needed; with time and support young people settle into their placements and begin to develop relationships with their foster families.

Have you discussed becoming a foster carer with your own family, especially your children?
It is so important that the decision to foster is something that everyone agrees upon and it can be an important factor in ensuring a successful career in fostering. Everyone living in your home will be living with your foster child 24/7. You will need to share your home, space, belongings and crucially your children will have to share their parents and this is not always something children are able to do despite their best intentions. It is so important that children understand what sacrifices they will need to make as part of a family that fosters and it’s also vital that you, as a family, keep talking throughout the process and that any concerns expressed are listened to.

Will you be able to say goodbye when the time comes?
It’s important to remember that Fostering is not a permanent arrangement and someday foster children will move on. This can be very difficult to deal with as naturally when someone becomes part of your family strong attachments are built both for you and your foster child. As a foster carer your supervising social worker will be on hand to support you to deal with these emotions.

Can you work in partnership with other professions?
Foster carers work as part of a highly qualified team who work together to ensure the best outcomes for the foster child; there will be many other people involved in your foster child’s care and you will be required to work with them in a professional manner; even when you disagree with decisions they may make. They may include social workers, educational professionals, support workers, medical professionals. As a foster carer you will be required to attend meetings and to be committed to following the care plan for your foster child as decided upon by the social workers involved.

Do you have a strong support system of family and friends to talk to?
It is important to remember that, at times, fostering a child can be very stressful and although you will have a supervising social worker; often people feel more comfortable discussing issues or ‘letting off steam’ with family and friends. As a foster carer you will receive a great deal of support from your chosen fostering agency; you will be allocated a supervising social worker who is there to discuss issues around your fostering role and your foster child, you also have access to an on call system 24/7 so there is always someone to listen to any concerns you have. Many fostering agencies have regular forums where carers can meet to discuss their fostering role and offer each other support.

These are some of the questions you should ask yourself when you consider becoming a foster carer.

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Our FAQ section has lots more information but if you have a specific question just drop us an e mail and we will do our best to answer.

posted by Linda