You are likely to have many of the skills needed to become a foster carer and we will work with you to ensure you have the training and support that you need.
You will need the patience and understanding to look after children who may have come from difficult circumstances, such as abuse or neglect. Social workers and other professionals work hard to keep families together if this is at all possible. However, if this is not possible then foster carers become part of the professional team, and play a vital role in providing a safe and caring home to help children come to terms with what has happened in their lives.
As a foster carer you will need to:
- Be able to provide a good standard of care for other people’s children. This will involve promoting their health, education and leisure interests.
- Be able to listen and communicate with children in a way that is appropriate for their age and understanding
- Be able to help the child keep in contact with their friends and family as appropriate.
- Be able to set appropriate boundaries and manage children’s behaviour without the use of physical punishment or other unreasonable behaviour.
- Ensure that the child is cared for in an environment where they are safe from harm and abuse.
- Work as part of a team with the child’s social worker, teacher and other professionals.
You will need to think about:
- Do you enjoy being with children?
- Do you have patience and understanding?
- Can you provide care and commitment?
- Can you be flexible but able to set clear boundaries?
- Can you be emotionally resilient?
- Can you communicate openly and honestly?
- Can you share the responsibility for the care and development of children?
- Are you warm, positive and nurturing?
Vulnerable children and young people will be coming into your home. For this reason you will be asked to go through a period of preparation and assessment. You will need to show that you have the skills required to care for other people’s children and that you understand how it feels for children to be separated from their own families.