Lucy Stevens - 26th September 2024
We believe fostering has a huge role to play in society. Foster carers look after some of our most vulnerable children. It is massively rewarding but requires grit, determination, and commitment.
Having good support from your fostering provider is essential in ensuring a successful and enjoyable fostering experience, not just for carers but for the children and young people too. If you’re starting out on your fostering journey, here are some things you’ll need to think about when deciding which fostering provider to go for.
Children don’t stick to office hours. Support should be available whenever you need it.
The life of a foster carer can be unpredictable at times. When you foster, you need to know that you can access the same quality of support at any time of the day or night. Many of our carers tell us that having a small team who knows all the carers and children, means that they get great support no matter what time they need it or who they speak to. Eastern Fostering Services offers 24/7/365 support in the form of our social work team, all of whom you will get to know when you foster with us.
Regular supervision
Foster carers need and indeed must be given regular supervision. Supervision with your Supervising Social Worker is essential to maintain your wellbeing, the wellbeing of the child and to support the longevity of the fostering relationship. During supervision you will discuss the needs and progress of the child. You will also discuss how you are and what additional support you may need as a foster carer. Supervision sessions are an important way to share ideas, talk things through and gain perspective.
Community support
No-one can truly understand fostering better than a fellow foster carer! Being part of an open and welcoming community of foster carers is key to successful fostering. At Eastern Fostering Services we have a wonderful community of foster carers across Essex, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. We offer coffee mornings and gatherings for carers to share with one another, build relationships and be inspired by one another. You can meet some of our carers here.
Training and development
When it comes to fostering, you definitely learn on the job, but there are lots of things you can learn along the way in a training context. Good training helps you to feel confident and opens your mind to new perspectives and methods of working with children. There is some training which is mandatory, such as First Aid and Safeguarding. Good fostering providers will also provide additional training throughout the year to help you be the best foster carer you can be. Eastern Fostering Services provides a mix of face-to-face training (when restrictions allow) and online training. This allows carers a good degree of flexibility. Supervising social workers will help you to identify any training needs. However, carers can also request training in areas they are interested in or in which they would like to specialise.
Don’t be afraid to ask – choose a provider you connect with
When you are choosing a fostering provider to foster with, don’t be afraid to ask what support they will offer. Ask if you can speak to one of their carers to get a feel for the level and quality of support they receive. You will be building important relationships with the team and with the other carers so it’s important that you sense a rapport from the beginning. Good fostering providers, like Eastern Fostering Services always put the children at the centre of everything and will recognise that the best way to do this is to cherish and support their carers.
If you would like to discuss fostering with us, please contact us at info@easternfosteringservices.com or you can get in touch via our website. We hold regular information events and offer virtual meetings – details of these are on our Facebook page.
Eastern Fostering Services - The small agency with a strong family feel
