About Fostering?

Take some time meet some of our carers and read their stories.

Joy and Mike
Joy and Mike ‘We started out in foster care after our own children were grown up,” says Joy, “and we missed being around children… I saw the SWIIS’ advert in a newspaper and after speaking to them we realised that it was something we could do. They offer so much support, so we’re free to concentrate on the children. “My first placement was amazing. We felt that we’d really helped at a time when these children needed someone to support them. We still get updates about them, now that things have improved for them and they’re back with their family.

Bella's Story
Angus and Sheena

I have been looking after Bella for the past 3 years. Bella has pretty serious health problems and delayed development. She needs close support for most of the day. As a single carer, some people question how I manage. But I get lots of support. I have a niece, Rachael, who SWIIS assessed as a Nominated Support Carer and she is able to look after Bella, to allow me to have a break now and again. Bella sees Rachael as part of the family, which of course she is!. I also get additional respite when I need it; but mainly I manage fine with the close support of my SWIIS social worker and Heath Advisor. My Health Advisor also liaises with the medical team linked to Bella as well as my GP.


Bella will be 18 soon and SWIIS are working with the local authority to enable Bella to remain with me, so that we can keep things stable and meet her needs as she gets older . The future is a bit uncertain, but for now I’m pleased Bella can stay.


Yes there are times when things are difficult, but I wouldn’t want it any other way and I wouldn’t want Bella to be anywhere else.

Mira and Amir
Jaswinder and Amir

"We started out as respite carers", says Mira. "In many ways this gave us a good insight into what fostering was all about and the many different kind of children and young people who come into care". I was the main carer and after a couple of years I decided to move from respite to long term fostering. Throughout that time, I’ve come to really value the unique experience that fostering gives. I used to work in the same large company as Amir, but if I have one regret it’s that I didn’t leave my job sooner and take up fostering as a career much earlier.

Every day is different and I look forward to the challenges and rewards that each day brings.

Lucy and Sue
>Lucy and Sue

Lucy and Sue were newly approved as carers in 2008. A placing social worker recently remarked that they were ‘excellent and committed carers’.


"I ‘m not going to say it’s been easy", says Lucy. We’ve been on a learning curve; but we’ve learnt so much; not just about the kids and what works for them, but what works for us, in keeping them safe, seeing them gain in confidence. I’m doing NVQ‘s at the moment and I thought I’d struggle. But our SWIIS social worker has helped me go at my own pace and I’m really beginning to see the link between the subjects covered and the day to day fostering task. Sharing this with Sue has strengthened us as a team. SWIIS have always had a big thing about training and I can see why. I’m even thinking of becoming an NVQ assessor myself when I complete the course.

 

There is a significant shortage of carers able to provide support to

Older Children Teenage parent and baby Sibling Groups Children with disabilities Carers able to provide occasional breaks to existing carers
Older Children Teenage parent and baby Sibling groups Children with disabilities Respite care

If you think that you may be able to join our team in meeting the needs of these particular groups,  please do not hesitate to talk about these and many other options through with your local office or complete our register your interest form.