Any Foster carers out there?

itsarichmansworld

Hi

Can I give you another perpspective?

I was fostered, I was taken into care at 11 because I'd neglect at home my mother was an alcoholic. I was passed through the care system in kids homes, some fab like quarriers and some not so hot Glasgow city councils homes,

When I was 15 I was placed with a supportive lodgings family they where foster parents for teenager helping me transition to my own flat.

My foster mum and dad made me the woman I am today, they gave me a normal family life I so dearly craved. The whole family took me as their own, and are still in my life 16 years later.

My foster mum was an amazing woman who taught me to respect myself and not become a stat of the care system she encouraged me to get a part time job my foster dad even spoke to our local shop keeper to get me a Saturday job,they encouraged me to go to college and get an education.

When I got engaged they where there with me and my foster mum relished being "mother of the bride" she bought my gown for me and helped plan my wedding.

Basically not all kids are bad I know some kids are damaged but remember its not the kids fault, if you have time patience and love you will make a great foster parent.

My foster parents are no longer with us and I miss them everyday I credit them to the woman and mother I am now.

Good luck x

paulwellerfan

can i be nosey and ask eskimo which part of the country they are in.?

aeb_2

I foster a girl who is at risk from her family. A long and complicated story but it has worked out for her. She came at age 15 and will stay here until she has finished college. As she is hoping to go to uni I will continue to support her emotionally if she needs me. I have to wait and see.

She is probably the only child I will foster - a one off in speacil circumstances but I agree with what has been said -I know it will be hard to say goodbye if that time comes but I will have no regrets as it is a fantastic thing to do if you are the right person.

OP, consider all your family too, I'm sure you have. I have six per school and primary age children so the risk of disrupting the family dinamics is high

gibson123

itsarichmansworld wrote: »

Hi

Can I give you another perpspective?

I was fostered, I was taken into care at 11 because I'd neglect at home my mother was an alcoholic. I was passed through the care system in kids homes, some fab like quarriers and some not so hot Glasgow city councils homes,

When I was 15 I was placed with a supportive lodgings family they where foster parents for teenager helping me transition to my own flat.

My foster mum and dad made me the woman I am today, they gave me a normal family life I so dearly craved. The whole family took me as their own, and are still in my life 16 years later.

My foster mum was an amazing woman who taught me to respect myself and not become a stat of the care system she encouraged me to get a part time job my foster dad even spoke to our local shop keeper to get me a Saturday job,they encouraged me to go to college and get an education.

When I got engaged they where there with me and my foster mum relished being "mother of the bride" she bought my gown for me and helped plan my wedding.

Basically not all kids are bad I know some kids are damaged but remember its not the kids fault, if you have time patience and love you will make a great foster parent.

My foster parents are no longer with us and I miss them everyday I credit them to the woman and mother I am now.

Good luck x

This made me cry! Sorry I cannot give any perspectives on fostering, but I do work with kids who have been in care, and I am absolutely convinced that the ones that even have one positive role model, do so much better than others.

littlemissbugging

We passed at end of March and have so far done 2 short respites and a 7 week short term placement. Hard work but very rewarding.

We went through an agency and they are great....our Social Worker is spot on! The Council Social Workers we've dealt with are another matter!!!

PM me if I can help at all :-)

princessdon

I have been a respite fosterer for many years (children with ASD) but have recently had to take a neice I never knew even existed. (Long story but my brother and I lost touch due to lifestlyle differences).

I now have a child I don't really know with social and emotional needs.

As a "respite fosterer" I got so much support it was unreal. The SW'ers were always there, asking to help, asking if all was OK, training if I needed it (I didn't due to my profession) and faultless.

My experience as a family member is different. It's early days (but I wish I had access to the system as foster carer like I do as a professional). At "work" I have full access to records, as a "family carer" I have what they tell me.

It is one of the most rewarding jobs (even though I only respite) there is, you will make a difference.

I haven't respited for a while (I need to care for a family member in ill health and so can't give the time it needs), but I still have links and my OH and I run a surf club for Austic children at the weekend with over 15 attendees (1 to 1 or 2 to 1, depending on their needs). This grows each week with new referrals (and new volunteers). The amount of people who give up their own time, pay for their CRB and offer to help us is amazing, due to their generosity we take more children with ASD who get Adult male company, positive role models and experience of surfing.

We are starting a Deep Sea Diving club for Austic children soon when weather is warmer (moved on from surfing as are now competent and need a new challenge).

So much joy and opportunities for all.

Good luck with it

eskimo26

paulwellerfan wrote: »

can i be nosey and ask eskimo which part of the country they are in.?

We are in the south east commuter belt but actually foster over the border with a zone 4/5 outer london borough.

Even fostering outside our council brings up problems because it requires fluid local council to other council communication and they are bad enough on there own never mind when you are relying on them organising something that falls between their jurisdictions. :rotfl:

Princessdon we are trying to get respite for my autistic cousin but because they are full the respite centre can only offer 1 overnight respite a week, is it worth asking the social worker to look for a respite foster carer? Presumably it is very rare and they are few and far between so it is only for very extreme cases?

wattdallas

princessdon wrote: »

I have been a respite fosterer for many years (children with ASD) but have recently had to take a neice I never knew even existed. (Long story but my brother and I lost touch due to lifestlyle differences).

I now have a child I don't really know with social and emotional needs.

As a "respite fosterer" I got so much support it was unreal. The SW'ers were always there, asking to help, asking if all was OK, training if I needed it (I didn't due to my profession) and faultless.

My experience as a family member is different. It's early days (but I wish I had access to the system as foster carer like I do as a professional). At "work" I have full access to records, as a "family carer" I have what they tell me.

It is one of the most rewarding jobs (even though I only respite) there is, you will make a difference.

I haven't respited for a while (I need to care for a family member in ill health and so can't give the time it needs), but I still have links and my OH and I run a surf club for Austic children at the weekend with over 15 attendees (1 to 1 or 2 to 1, depending on their needs). This grows each week with new referrals (and new volunteers). The amount of people who give up their own time, pay for their CRB and offer to help us is amazing, due to their generosity we take more children with ASD who get Adult male company, positive role models and experience of surfing.

We are starting a Deep Sea Diving club for Austic children soon when weather is warmer (moved on from surfing as are now competent and need a new challenge).

So much joy and opportunities for all.

Good luck with it

All foster carers MUST do training whether family member,or respite .And ALL Must do the CWDC workbook.Finding it very strange that only YOU was not required to.Even social workers do traing with us foster carers.Can I ask why you don't ?

Humphrey10

wattdallas wrote: »

All foster carers MUST do training whether family member,or respite .And ALL Must do the CWDC workbook.Finding it very strange that only YOU was not required to.

I assumed she meant she did not need to do the training, as she already had the required qualifications/experience due to her job.

wattdallas

Humphrey10 wrote: »

I assumed she meant she did not need to do the training, as she already had the required qualifications/experience due to her job.

That's what I can't understand Humphrey ,Everyone HAS to do the training whether you have experience or not,even social workers do.Theres just no way getting out of it.Im rather puzzled