Fostering, a specialist job done by ordinary people.

Who Can Foster?

Fostering families come from all walks of life.  You don’t have to be married, live in a big house or have formal qualifications.  Single people or couples can apply, what matters is your skills, interest and ability to meet the needs of children in difficult circumstances and make a real difference to their lives.  We do ask for at least one adult to be available full time – (i.e not working) and we especially welcome:

• Applicants with previous experience of looking after other people’s children – through either paid or voluntary work
• Families with no younger children at home where they can give young people the attention and supervision they may have missed in other situations.
• Applicants from a wide range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds 

There is a particular need for carers for:

• Sibling groups (brothers and sisters who need to stay together)
• Older teenagers (14 – 17)
• Children with disabilities
• Children and young people of any age who have had difficulties in other placements because of their behaviour

Full training and all the support you need are provided by the SWIIS Foster Care Team whether you are an experienced carer or starting your first placement.

 ‘Every Child Matters’

A recent Government survey found that the same things are important for all children and young people as they grow up.  At SWIIS Foster Care we focus on the five key areas that were identified by young people as making the real difference.  These are:

• being healthy 
• staying safe
• enjoying and achieving 
• making a positive contribution
• achieving economic well-being

Foster carers play a valuable part in giving children and young people  the opportunity and help they need to benefit from good health, a safe and secure home, fun and learning, getting on with others and having the skills and confidence to do well  in their  futures. 

We believe that fostering should be seen as a specialist job done by ordinary people. 
These are the main points of the job description:

• To provide a safe, stable and caring home for as long as a child or young person may need it.
• To help them keep in touch with their own family and other important people in their lives.
• To help children and young people understand and stay in touch with their origins, religion and culture.
• Helping to promote healthy growth and development and acting as a link with education, health and other specialist workers
• Providing guidance, boundaries and a good example to help children and young people learn appropriate behaviour.
• Listening to children and young people, speaking up for them and helping them make decisions
• Being resilient and adaptable, overcoming setbacks and being prepared to try again
• Helping children and young people to move on or leave care as a positive step forward
• Working as part of a team, contributing to plans, reviews and case conferences and sharing information with others as necessary.
• Keeping good records and dealing responsibly with confidential information
• Attending regular training and support groups and developing your own knowledge and skills.

You may have done most or all of these things with your own children or other children you have been involved with through your family, friends or work experience.  But caring for other people’s children is an extra responsibility and an even more complicated task.  The children and young people bring their own different backgrounds, experiences, hopes and fears with them and it may take a long time to understand  their needs and for everyone to adapt and work together.