Being a foster carer can be a challenging role, but it is also hugely rewarding. Read how Hazel went from being a short term caring role to a forever family for one child.
Long-term foster carers often speak of a sense of pride in seeing the child develop and flourish. And, in terms of practicalities, there is a fostering allowance as well as good support and training for those who provide a home for a child in need.
Hazel has been fostering since 2006 – she shares her experiences.
"Hi, my name is Hazel. I was approved to foster in 2006 for short-term care for one child. I had four of my own children when we started, but felt I was in the position to care for more.
"One extra child soon grew into three and became an enjoyable way of life. In our early fostering years, we moved many children on to their forever homes.
"In 2011, we received a call about a young boy who had complex needs but seemed to match our family well, so he came to live with us. It was a learning curve for us all, but we soon fell in love with this little boy.
We were short term carers and never thought of looking after someone forever, but he changed our feelings and in 2013 we became his forever family.
"Long-term fostering not only means the young person gets a permanent home with a new family, but as foster parents you get to see their whole journey and watch them change and flourish with the care you give. There are challenges, which are well supported by training. We also get lots of support and guidance from social workers and other carers within the fostering community, so we never feel alone.
"Although there are challenges these are far outnumbered by the many rewards that permanency brings. In the 10 years of looking after our young man he has changed beyond recognition and I feel very proud that we as a family have achieved this. We love permanency so much that we decided to do it again with a young girl and are just about to start the process again for a third child.
"The aim for any child is to grow up in a safe and stable environment which is rich in love, understanding, support and laughter. There are many routes through the fostering process that achieves this, but for us permanency has worked allowing our family unit to successfully grow and develop together, and it’s something I would advocate as a great thing to do if you are able to."
Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.
If you feel that you could offer a long-term home to a child or sibling group, apply to foster today at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering or call our friendly team on 01522 554114.