Being a foster carer can be a challenging job, but the rewards are varied and quite personal. Some foster carers find it so fulfilling, they foster many children throughout a long fostering career. Here are some of the positive benefits of being a foster carer.
Positively change a child’s life
You’re providing a foster child with a fresh start, which they would not get otherwise. This can be the difference that turns their life around. Some children are quite damaged emotionally and sometimes physically when they come into care and they don’t trust anyone. They’ve had such a lot of trauma in their lives, to actually settle down and be normal is life changing. “Some of our foster carers say they can physically see the positive difference,” says Susi Cracroft, publicity and recruitment officer at Achieving for Children.
A career using valuable skills
You’re a professional parent and are given on-going training and support to further develop your skills. Foster caring is waged through allowances and payments and can be a full-time job. You could earn up to £400 per week with www.achievingforchildren.org.uk
Personal development
Many things can come up with foster children such as unknown shock and trauma, attachment issues and loss, which can trigger personal issues for you as their foster carer. The support and training you are given will help you to look at and move past your own issues.
Creating an extended family
When you foster children and young people you invite them into your home and life – they become part of your family. Many foster carers stay in touch with their foster children after they have left the foster home and enjoy seeing their foster children move into adulthood and start families of their own. "One of our foster carers has recently become a Foster Granny!" says Susi.
This is part 2 of our 5-part guide to foster caring. To read part 3, Types of fostering placements click here
To read parts 1,2, 4 and 5 click here
Achieving for Children is a social enterprise created by Kinston County Council and Richmond County Council supporting foster care services. To find out more click here.
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