Have you ever considered fostering but just didn’t know where to start? Emily, a mother of one, from Aylesbury has been fostering with Buckinghamshire County Council for 4 years and "would recommend fostering to anyone!" Read Emily’s story below.
“My mum has been fostering for years so fostering has always been a part of my life and once I left home she kept badgering me to start fostering too!
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| Fostering is one of the most rewarding jobs to have |
I was at home with my 2 and half year old daughter, when my husband and I decided it was the right time for us to start.
When I first got into fostering I didn’t quite realise why the children there needed looking after. I had to learn about all the different reasons why children might need foster care and that was a bit of a surprise. Children could have experienced neglect or abuse, so you do need to be aware of that but I did get a lot of training and support from the council which will prepare you for this as well as listening to foster carers that have experience.
We foster 0-2 year olds as we live in a flat and they fit in with our family life. I think anyone can foster, they just need to be worldly wise and need to understand that children that come into fostering may need you to be a bit more patient and understanding of them. If you have experience of working with children or even children of your own this will be a second nature to you. I was lucky to have a lot of experience with children as I was a Nanny, however I do believe anyone can do this.
Fostering is one of the most rewarding jobs to have. To see them smiling and making those important milestones - rolling over for the first time or taking their first steps - just melts your heart. They are dependent on you and you are like their mum. You are up in the night with them; you wash them, feed them and care for them and the bond you build and as you see them grow is the best reward.
One of the children we looked after was a 4 week old baby who was born premature. The doctors didn’t expect her to do very well, however during the time she was with us we gave her a loving home and all the attention and care we would our own daughter.
"She left us just after her first birthday and during this time she developed better than anyone expected."
A lot of people think they can’t foster because they live in a flat, or their place is too small, they work or they are too old. There are lots of myths out there which aren’t true. My mum is a single parent and has been fostering for years. We have a two bedroom flat and have been able to foster so many children during this time. We also know other foster carers who are retired. My advice to anyone thinking about fostering is talk to someone. Whether it’s a social worker or an actual foster carer they will be able to help you with your decision.
Making the first phone call can be daunting, but the rewards are huge. I would recommend fostering to anyone. Just be patient as the process can take up to a year, don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk to people - someone who is already fostering or social workers to find out what it’s really like and if it’s for you.
"There’s plenty of children out there who just need love – love is easy to give.”
