Being a foster parent

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by Katie Wright | 1st Jun 2021

Foster carers come from all backgrounds and bring a wide range of life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet the needs of children and young people in foster care. Choosing to become a foster carer is not a decision that can be taken lightly as it will have a big impact on everyone living at home and everyone in the household needs to be committed to fostering. We recognise the vital role sons and daughters of foster carers can play in the success of fostering placements and the whole family will be involved in the decision to foster and the assessment process. Foster carers receive training and support to help them develop the skills to meet the needs of children in care.

Foster carers are part of a team who are responsible for the wellbeing and development of a fostered child. This team includes the foster carer, their supervising social worker, the child’s social worker, as well as a number of other people, such as education and health professionals, depending on the child’s specific needs.

As well as providing day-to-day care for children and young people, foster carers are expected to advocate on behalf of the child, support their educational, health and social wellbeing, manage sometimes challenging behaviour, keep records, attend meetings and work with the wider team, as well as developing their own skills.

It is often vital for children in foster care to maintain links with their birth family which can include mum, dad, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles or grandparents through regular contact and foster carers play a significant role in this.

By choosing People Who Foster you will be in safe hands as our dedicated team will provide you with guidance and support at every stage of your journey.