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Jenn and Hayley share their experience, and what they would say if you are thinking about fostering.
What inspired you to become a foster carer?
With professional backgrounds in welfare and wellbeing, becoming a foster carer was an ambition for Jenn and Hayley.
“I work in a busy mental health crisis team,” explains Jenn. “I’m often in safeguarding meetings, and speaking to social workers."
“Looked after children need positive role models too”
Hayley adds; “I worked in a secondary school, we taught children in care, who spoke to me if they needed help. Seeing them flourish was lovely.”
Both Jenn and Hayley wanted to do more to help and give back to their community. Then, soon after they met, Jenn and Hayley felt they were ready to apply to become foster carers.
Jenn and Hayley have offered respite care to several children
Essex County Council offers different types of fostering. Respite foster carers help other foster carers and birth families care for children. This can be for one weekend a month, or during school holidays.
“Respite care has been invaluable; it’s been a real eye-opener.” Said Jenn. “We’re very open-minded and respite care has helped build our expectations and skill sets.”
Support from Essex County Council for foster carers
Essex County Council offer 24/7 support for our foster carers. This includes an out of hours line available for emergency help and questions.
“Someone is always at the end of the phone.” notes Hayley. “There’s always someone to talk to and ask, ‘I’m not sure about this, what would you do?’"
“It feels like one big family. You never feel alone as a foster carer.”
Often, our fostering teams run meet ups, like Christmas parties and summer picnics, for local foster carers. Jenn and Hayley have enjoyed them, especially with their 10-year-old foster child.
“It’s good for the kids too,” says Hayley. “They get to meet other children in foster care, and it doesn’t feel so isolating.”
What are Jenn and Hayley’s favourite things about being foster carers? There are too many to pinpoint.
After taking a moment to think, Jenn says; “It’s the tiny moments. Hearing the first time the child says, ‘thank you’. Or, if you have a child who is bit guarded, the first time they ask for a hug. It’s small but you know it’s a big gesture for the child.”
Hayley nods. “Seeing changes like self-care improving or a child saying ‘I love you’ for the first time. It’s our job to reaffirm him and build up his confidence in subtle ways. Knowing we have had something to do with that is very rewarding.”