“My Foster family is very fun, loving and proud. I love family time and fun days out” S, aged 13.
One of the first questions we ask people who enquire into fostering is “Why do you want to foster?” In our experience, understanding a carer’s motivation gives good insight into what sort of foster carer they will be.
Of course, people foster for a variety of reasons, more often that not, deeply personal ones. Good, committed foster carers foster because:
- They want to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of others
- They have had life experiences (good or bad, or both) which they have learned from and want to help others
- They have a faith which motivates them
- They have experience working with children and want to take this further
- They have a belief that one person can have a positive, lasting impact on a child
- They have a desire to change wider society for the better
“My foster carer is crazy, funny, lovely, kind and brave!” C, aged 15.
Why do they care?
We asked our carers why they foster. Here’s what they said:
Julie, Essex, Foster carer, Essex.
I care because I believe all children deserve to be safe. They all deserve a nurturing and loving family. I’m so glad I started fostering; I know I am changing lives.
Martin, Foster Carer, Essex.
I did fostering because the Missis wanted to do it! It’s not been all plain sailing, ups and downs but I’m really glad I agreed. To see a kid grow and get confidence, see a real smile and hear a proper laugh shows we’ve made a difference to a life.
Rachel, Foster Carer, Cambridgeshire
I already worked with vulnerable children in a school setting and could see a real need there. It’s about wanting to be part of something bigger, knowing that there are children really needing a home. Home is really important to us and we’re lucky to have a nice place to live and family we get on with. Fostering is a great opportunity to share that with someone else. Every child deserves a childhood.
“It’s difficult to describe it. Having a foster carer means I am not lonely. I have got a family who cares and will always look after me and you have done that through all these years, and I much appreciate it.” B, aged 19.
Jim, Foster Carer, Essex.
I care because it’s important to give children the opportunity to succeed. I’m pleased to be able to help these kids to exceed their expectations and to have some of the consistency that maybe they haven’t had in their previous lives.
It’s not a one man show.
At Eastern Fostering Services, we know first-hand how vital birth children are in the fostering process. We have a brilliant community of birth children who all support and facilitate fostering in their homes. So why do they care?
Beth, birth daughter.
Mitch, birth son.
I was first introduced to fostering by my mum and I didn’t know anything about it really but said go for it! I’m so glad we did; it’s one of the best things that’s happened in my life. It’s all about the second opportunity, getting that second chance at life because everyone deserves that second chance….It’s so rewarding to see people develop, watch them grow up and become better people. I wouldn’t change it for anything…and I’d recommend it to anyone.
Ben, birth son.
For me it’s about giving someone something that you have that they haven’t got; it helps someone who might be less fortunate in some ways to you.
Mel, birth daughter and support worker.
I’m part of a foster family and I also work alongside all the guys at Eastern Fostering Services. I got into fostering because my mum really wanted to foster and it’s a way to change someone’s life. You get a lot back and it’s an amazing opportunity. You get to meet lots of children, lots of really nice people and the team at EFS are amazing. You just get that opportunity to help children out and you can really make a difference to their lives.
Theo, birth son.
You get to build a relationship with someone new. You get to give them back something they didn’t have before and it feels good to do something nice for someone.
J, birth son.
I suppose it’s important so that they have somewhere to live, a family.
F, birth son.
I really want my foster brother to live with us forever because he is funny, he is kind to me. I really like it when he takes me to the skate park with his friends (we play football with them). He is my best friend and I love him.
“I believe that it’s crucial for children and young adults to receive the correct forms of care whilst in foster care because this provides stability. Stability in the life of a child who has not always received it can make a drastic difference in the child’s life.” I, aged 17.
Caring behind the scenes
The adage “it takes a village to raise a child” is one that applies to fostering. Eastern Fostering Services has a team of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to support carers, birth children and the children they look after. We asked them why they do what they do.
Brendan
Brendan is a Supervising Social Worker at Eastern Fostering Services. He looks after our fabulous carers in South Essex. Here’s why he cares.
“Working as a Supervising Social Worker with foster carers who are so dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives is inspiring. I never fail to be impressed with our carers’ ability to roll with the challenges that fostering brings and learn that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to supporting children and young people.
Eastern Fostering Services enables me to be just as flexible with the support that I offer our families to keep them going during the difficult times but equally celebrate with them the successes and progress. Whether that be achieving top marks at school or a young person managing a whole week in school without incident. We know that progress is measured and acknowledged on an individual basis. It is the small and personal feel of EFS that first drew me back to working in fostering. Knowing that I am not just working a 9-5 and clock watching but actually achieving something meaningful with the people that I work alongside.”
“Caring for a child in foster care can allow the child to learn to appreciate when help is given to them. This can be really difficult for children who haven’t had people looking out for them, to trust them.” V, aged 16.
Sarah
Sarah heads up our invaluable administration team and has been working in fostering for over a decade. Here’s why she cares.
” I have had the amazing opportunity of working for Eastern Fostering Services for over 10 years, in an administrative role, and I can’t think of anywhere else I would rather be! EFS foster carers, my colleagues and myself included, all have the same heartfelt mission in making sure that children are given safe, stable and happy homes and that together we are able to make a positive difference to their lives. It’s been a privilege to get to know our wonderful children and to work alongside such dedicated foster carers and colleagues.”
Emma, Senior Supervising Social Worker
My passion is to help children feel safe and nurtured and to support foster carers to provide excellent care.
Rachel.
Rachel is an important member of the admin team here at EFS. She manages all the annual foster carer reviews, which are so important in ensuring we are offering the best possible care to children. Here’s why she cares.
“I love working at Eastern Fostering Services because they are very caring. The carers and the social workers all have a genuine passion for what they do. They want to ensure that children have a safe and nurturing environment to grow up in. It’s really rewarding to see all the positive outcomes that our carers and children achieve.”
If you care about children and young people and want to find out more about fostering, you can contact us via our website, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, message us on Facebook or call us on 01206 299775. We’d love to hear from you!
You can find out more about how to become a foster carer on our website. Why not take your first step today?
