WhatTo Consider Before Becoming a Foster Carer

Becoming a parent is such an amazing experience isn't it? That over whelming love and protection you have for your child is second to none and is there from the moment they are born, maybe even while they are still in the womb. Whether the child you look after is biologically yours or not, I am sure those feelings are the same because if you are a foster carer I would imagine they are inbuilt which is why you want to extend your home and love to benefit children who need that support. I had a friend at my primary school who was fostered by a lovely couple, and she was so happy to be living with them and to be able to call them her Mum and Dad.

Today's guest post is all about become a foster carer - have you ever considered doing the same?

According to statistics from the Fostering Network, foster carers are in demand. By becoming a foster carer, you can provide a child with the best possible opportunity for a successful future. However, there are three essential factors to think about before you consider putting yourself forward for foster caring.

To become a foster carer, you must be able to find time to dedicate to the children in your care. Children in foster care may have been through damaging experiences and will need support following being separated from their parents; they will therefore require a considerable amount of attention. Foster carers receive support and extensive training from their foster care agency

to ensure that they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

You will also be required to accompany your foster child to appointments with a range of healthcare professionals, including child psychologists and speech and language therapists, and will hold sole responsible for ensuring that your child makes it to these appointments on time. In addition, many foster children are granted time with their birth relatives and you must be available to attend, and sometimes monitor, these visits.

If you reside in a busy household and work full-time, you may not be capable of providing a suitable environment for a foster child. Similarly, if you are already a parent to several children under the age of 12, you may need to wait until your own children are older before embarking on your foster care journey. While some large families are able to take on foster children and manage successfully, they are a rarity.

As a foster carer, you will receive a weekly allowance, designed to cover the daily expenses of caring for your foster child. The weekly fostering allowance

will therefore cover the cost of food, accommodation, travel, pocket money and leisure activities. You will also receive a skills payment, designed to recognise your expertise. While you will receive payment for your foster caring services, the money that you receive will not support your whole family. You will therefore need to need an additional source of income.

Your personality will hold the key to making a positive, lasting difference to the lives of the children in your care and is just as important as your ability to provide time, attention and financial support. A good sense of humour, determination and patience are must-have qualities, as are good communication skills and a non-judgemental nature. You will need to be able to welcome foster children into your family, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities, and treat everyone with the same high level of respect, while respecting their individual differences. Since many foster children will have been negatively affected by their past life experiences, it is vital for you to be able to make children feel at ease and to provide them with memorable experiences. You must also be able to find the motivation to address any challenges posed by their behaviour and establish ground rules when required. If you are looking to foster young children, you must also have high energy levels.

While your time constraints, income and personality will all factor in your decision to become a foster carer, it is important to remember that you are unique and your life experiences and individuality could make you the perfect candidate for foster caring.

This is a guest post