Basics about fostering 

Hey everyone, for this blog today, I’ve decided to tell you about some basic information about fostering. Hope you enjoy. If you would like to hear about my foster family story, make sure you check out my previous post!

Types of Fostering

Emergency – the child or children need somewhere safe to stay immediately. Just for a few nights until a plan is put in place for the child or children.

Short term- the carers look after the child or children for a few weeks or even a few months. This is again to give chance for a longer-term plan to be put in place for the child or children.

Long – term (could be permanent) – this is when there is no family of the child or children that could be able to take care of them. The child or children could stay with you until they are adult. This is the type of fostering my parents do.

I am 100% not an expert, I am just saying this from my own knowledge or research. These are just the types I am aware of. Also, there is such a thing where foster carers can take in the mother and baby. This is to help guide the mother if she has little support and give her a chance to prove she can be trusted to look after her baby properly. The foster carer will have to provide feedback on whether they think the mother is capable or not.

Preparation and training 

If you are trying to become a foster carer, a lot of preparation and assessment does take place. Groups need to be attended so you can learn about how to care for the children you may have to look after. However honestly, we have found that nothing really can fully prepare you for what you may encounter, just follow the training and guidance and you will be fine. Also, social workers will be willing to help, the one we have that supports us is amazing!

Talking about social workers, after the training, they will prepare a report that is present to a panel. Funny enough they call this going to panel! I wonder why! This panel recommends whether you can become foster parents or not. I think everyone gets a bit nervous before this, but my parents defiantly said it is not a scary as your mind can make it out to be.

Training does not stop when you become a foster carer, my parents still attend training and all foster carers have an annual review to still see if they are a suitable foster carer.

Qualities of a foster carer

As I have witnessed and experienced some quite tough placements, these are what I think you need to be like as a foster carer.

-          Empathy- the children you look after will more than likely have had a tough start to life

-          Good listening skills- if the child or children need some advice and support, however be aware they might not follow advice straight away.

-          Firm but fair- some children may see how far they can push or test you, make sure you stick to your rules

-          Patience- again child/children will try and push you as far as they can

-          Flexibility and adaptability – routines may have to change, you may have to take child/children to various clubs etc

-          Humour-  sometimes its better to laugh about things!

Well I think that is enough to inform you about today, this is just some basics things I believe you need to be aware of! Let me know in the comments if there is anything else you'd like to know about. Enjoy the rest of your day, remember you'll only have it once so make it the best you can!

N x