What is Foster Care Like?

If you’ve not had any experience with foster care or social services in England, you may be wondering – what is foster care like? Fostering is a life-changing experience not just for the children and young people whose lives it affects but for the families and support networks of those who choose to open their hearts and lives to children in care. 

For the children, foster care is a lifeline. Children are taken into care through no fault of their own when their birth parents are struggling to look after them or they are experiencing problems at home such as neglect or abuse. For these children, foster homes provide a valuable second chance and give them a space where they can be nurtured and supported. The goal of foster families is to help looked after children thrive and to build happier, safer, and more positive futures for children who desperately need love and support. 

For foster parents, like any job or career, there are ups and downs. Whilst being a foster parent is extremely rewarding as you benefit from watching your foster children bloom and grow, you also get the satisfaction of knowing that you have played a significant role in helping change their life for the better. That being said, it is not always going to be a walk in the park. There will be difficult days and days where you face challenges, but don’t worry, Fusion is always here to support you throughout those times. If there is one thing to know about what foster care is like, it’s that it is a team effort where you are always supported and helped by a family of social workers, friendly staff, and other members of the care team.

In your day to day life as a carer, you are responsible for looking after the foster child or children in your care to the best of your ability, catering to all their needs, be it essential, emotional, educational, or any other area where the young person needs support. Foster children may also need additional support to help them overcome some of the trauma associated with their past life experiences which can sometimes present in challenging behaviours or habits. Having patience, being creative, and being open and ready to listen are some of the main personal qualities you will need to master in your day to day role. You will also need to keep records and attend regular meetings with your supervising social worker where you will work as a team to ensure the child’s care plan is being followed. 

The important thing to remember is that you will have received detailed training on how to deal with all of the above responsibilities and requirements associated with your role as a carer. Further to that, ongoing training and development opportunities, as well as 24/7 support, are available to carers at Fusion, meaning that we are there for you no matter what challenges you are facing. 

Interested in joining our team and becoming a carer? Please click here to find out more about the application process and take some time to view our FAQ page which has answers to many of the questions we are commonly asked and provides guidance on whether you’re eligible to be a carer. If you think you’re perfect for the role or would like to speak to a member of the team directly with any questions you may have, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03301 239355 or filling out our contact form.