Meet existing carers and find out what they think about fostering

Gian and Sonia
We’ve been fostering for 8 years. We’re currently looking after Matt and have been for 3 years. He’s at college completing his second year and we hope to see him through to his third year before he moves onto more independent living.

It's good to feel that we are working as part of a professional team and that we, in our role as foster carers, are recognised as professionals.

Clive
I’ve been fostering as a single carer for a number of years now and look after Tom who requires close supervision at all times.

I find the mutually supportive network of the team extremely helpful in a number of different ways; from helping out with expenses claims, to the ongoing training that is readily available.  I also enjoy the summer activities and the group social outings that come up throughout the year.

Lesley
I’ve been fostering for 11 years and for about 1 year I looked after young people who had been remanded into care.  I was available to take young people at short notice, for literally an overnight stay, up to 3 months.

Remand foster caring was a challenging and enjoyable experience. You have to be able to work flexibly and I often felt that you had to be 'on the ball' when the call comes to taking a young person, night or day!

Richard
I am a single carer and have been fostering for 2 years. I currently have a 12 year old boy staying with me during the week who returns to his parents for the weekends.

It's really satisfying to feel that you are playing a supportive role to the family as a whole; this requires a great deal of sensitivity toward everybody's needs & opinions within the family.

Stella and Paul
We’ve been fostering for just over 3 years. We’re looking after two children at the moment, one of which has significant difficulties. Our 18 year old son is also living at home with us.

Fostering gives us the opportunity to help families who are experiencing problems and difficulties.  It's hard work but extremely rewarding especially when families are reunited.

Carol and Graham
We’ve been fostering for about 10 years now.  During this time we’ve had three long-term placements of around 3-4 years each.  The latest young person has been with us for the past 3 years.

Although at times it can be quite stressful, the challenge of finding different ways of working with a young person to achieve a required outcome can be very rewarding.