A career in Fostering

Elaine (52) from Kettering, Northamptonshire joined Fostering People in 2000, following a fostering career with Nottingham’s Local Authority. Over a 14 year period, she has fostered over 80 children and young people.

The motivation to Foster

The East Midlands carer, Elaine, became a foster carer due to a personal desire to make a difference, following her own experience of the fostering system. This desire is still her motivation to continue fostering and has shaped her career as a foster carer.

Fostering People has acknowledged Elaine’s achievement with a Long Service Award. Commenting on her fostering career, Elaine said: “I became a foster carer because I wanted to help young people like myself who had experienced abuse and needed a safe and caring home. I’m a therapeutic carer and I see my role as helping children find a way of dealing with their ‘baggage’.”

“It’s very rewarding when you manage to find a way to connect with a child, especially when they haven’t connected with an adult before. By giving them hope for the future and enabling them to think outside of the box, I’m able to help them see that the world is open to them, by giving them the opportunity to be ambitious and achieve more than they believe that they can.”

Changing lives through Fostering

Elaine went on to say: “I foster difficult to place young people, mainly teenagers, many who have been deemed ‘unfosterable’.  It’s been challenging at times but I’ve had great success. One young person I had couldn’t be placed with Local Authority foster carers because he’d gained a reputation and they’d all refused him; I fostered him for 4 years.

“I’ve also fostered young people through to independence, I remain in contact with many of these young people and it is so rewarding to see them move into the adult world and make a successful transition, having children and families of their own. Recently one of my previous foster placements got in contact with me and said ‘you were the best thing that ever happened to me’. It’s hearing that that makes fostering such a worthwhile career. I try and do my best whilst I can, but sometimes their paths are set.  I’m trying to make a difference. You can’t save them all, but if you can save just one, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Elaine cooks all her own food, bakes and makes jam; she believes this has a positive effect on the young people she cares for.  Elaine feels this is important as many of the young people she takes are older teenagers and she teaches them a wide range of skills that they will need for independent living and she has found that young people show a real interest and desire to learn how to cook.

“I really enjoy cooking and feel that nutrition is very important to young people. I firmly believe that what you put into your body affects you and your behaviour. If young people are allowed to eat junk, they will run out of energy and become much more likely to have behavioural problems. One young person I fostered came to me following a diagnosis of ADHD. It turned out that he didn’t have ADHD after all; he had some bad behaviour that was exacerbated by a bad diet. With a much better diet and some firm boundaries he really turned his challenging behaviour around.”

Working with the Fostering People Team

Commenting on her award Elaine said: “It’s very gratifying to receive this award. When I first applied to become a carer I wasn’t sure I was really what they were looking for. This award gives me a real sense of achievement, and recognition that I’ve accomplished my fostering ambition.

"The training at Fostering People is second to none; the fostering support for carers and the children is excellent, and I really think that children and young people get a much better deal. Fostering People make you feel valued as they treat you as an integral member of a team of professional. As a result, others outside the agency also regard you as an experienced professional. I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to gain qualification and to be including in training, using our knowledge and experience to help others."

If you would like further information about becoming a foster carer, please complete our enquire online form or telephone 0800 0778159.