Hopefully, you stayed with me and have arrived here after reading part 1, where I outlined the phenomenal work that our foster carers do, ending with “Phew…it’s a LOT!”
Even after writing that, I was thinking, “is this a good thought to share?”
This is potentially what could put people off from becoming a foster carer, which is of course, the opposite of what I want! BUT we have to be real! We have to be honest, open and transparent; we have a duty of care to both the foster carer and the child to make this work. Thinking about it, it’s actually my job, as foster carer recruitment officer to try to put off a potential foster carer because it is not for everyone.
As one of our founding Directors states, “You have to make fostering inviting, whilst also putting people off!”. This seems to have worked, given that we have been providing nurturing foster care since 1997!
What I can tell you there is no better feeling than when I get to the end of an enquiry phone call and a person says, “YES! I can do it, I want to do it, I want to help children”, etc. Its then I know that YES, we have found one of those special people who can really make a difference and transform lives of children and young people.
Chrysalis Care still have some foster carers that have been with us since the beginning – 26 years! – and many more who have joined us along the way and both old and new will tell you about the tough times because there will be some but at the end of the day, these are children in a situation that they have not chosen to be in and they need us.
More importantly, our foster carers will also tell you about the amazing times. Its lovely to receive emails or share stories at one of our coffee mornings, of the funny things they have said, or the most recent school certificate or badges their foster child has received. Or how their foster child has tried new foods or stepped out of their comfort zones, or attended a new club or received their GCSE or A’ level results and are growing into young adults and are settling into university life or a new home. Overall, the common theme is the sense of pride in their voices when they talk about their foster child…it is just infectious and a privilege to hear about and be a part of.
In conclusion and going back to the question I often get asked – why is so hard to recruit foster carers? Foster carers are pretty amazing, the role is big and most people think, “Oh I couldn’t do that” or “I’m not sure if I could do it, it seems a lot” but there are good people out there with the skills, talent, resilience and love to give, which would make them perfect for fostering a child who deserves a good home experience, for however long they need one for.
Maybe you’re one of them, or know someone who could foster; perhaps that’s what drew you to read this blog (s) in the first place.
Have you ever thought, “I would love to help children or young people but I am not sure if I could or where to start”? Then the next thing to do is reach out to us here https://chrysaliscarefostering.org/contact-us/ or call 0208 298 2800 and have an open and honest conversation where all of your questions can be answered. The last thing I will add is a quote from one of our own foster carers, “We found that when we first looked into fostering, everyone tried to put us off – well that’s what it felt like. I suppose they have to really be sure it is what you want to do, and thank goodness we did carry on.”
If you are more curious and enthused, than put off, contact us today.