We’ve highlighted career choices that make fantastic foster carers in our previous blog post
As part of our series highlighting those that recognised their own potential and put that to work fostering, there can be a natural pathway when one career ends and the potential of a new beginning.
A few relevant professions
- Ex Military
- Police Officers
- Teachers & Teaching Assistants
- NHS Staff
- PA’s
- Ex Cabin crew
- Carers
- Therapists
- Personal trainers
- Football Coaches
- Community volunteers
- Community wardens
- Prison wardens
- Managerial positions
- Administrators
- Stay-at-home parents
Each of the above professions provides critical experiences that can aid foster carers in the changeable and high-pressure moments that come with fostering young people.
Today, we want to celebrate Karan & Stuart who have fostered with The CFT since 2020. Both are experienced parents with Karan, having over 30 years of experience working with children and young people as a teacher, both believe in a theraputic approach to parenting which progressed naturally into fostering.
“We have always believed that every child matters and they have a right and a need to be loved, cared for and nurtured, to grow up in a safe and therapeutic environment, to be encouraged to be individuals and to reach their full potential in life in a warm and supportive atmosphere and to build positive memories and to be children above all else.”
Despite their biological children moving onto form their own futures the decision was still well thought out and included each of them.
“Ultimately this decision impacts them all. However, we were very much supported in our decision and they wanted us to support other children as they had been, we all share the same philosophy. This extended throughout the assessment process which was extremely thorough, as it should be.”
Given Karan and Stuart’s unwavering dedication to cultivating reliable and loving home environments for young people, how did foster care training, alongside their own career experience help during their first encounter with welcoming young people into their home?
“Routine! Both my own teacher training and that of The CFT’s set training program enabled us to settle into a routine very quickly. Children feel safe within a routine and ultimately feel the placement is a ‘safe space’ where they can express themselves and be encouraged to flourish.
The CFT have always endeavoured to support the children in our care. This is, in part, due to regular supervising social worker visits, comprehensive carers’ training courses and carers’ support groups and events.”
Karan and Stuart joined The CFT during an exciting time as we expanded into a new region, however, short-break care wasn’t always available to them and this aspect of fostering is now top of their agenda –
“After talking to other carers, there is a tendency to feel isolated when you first become carers and as our area was at first limited in carer numbers, the offer of respite was not so accessible to us.
With this in mind, we have always felt that it is paramount to provide well-organised and timely short breaks (respite) and to facilitate mentoring/support to other carers, as we have provided since. It is our honour and pleasure to support the CFT, it’s carers and at the heart of the agency…the children.”
And Karan’s advice to new carers?
“We have found it to be paramount to read referrals carefully and be guided and above all else, ask the right questions to ensure matching is carefully considered.”
Karan and Stuart paved the way for new carers, instilling confidence and providing the most important and crucial service through ‘short breaks’ for our carer group. Their experience has been an invaluable tool throughout their entire journey with us, and we are incredibly grateful for them as they continue to demonstrate their passion for young people through fostering.
If you’d like to find out more and discover your potential for fostering young people – contact us today!
