Rachael's Blog

“I have a new direction and purpose in life. I’m playing a part in helping young people and what could be better than that?”

I have always worked with children throughout my career, in support worker and teaching assistant roles. I even had my own business, running a children’s party shop where I would host children’s parties. But working month to month keeping the business going was getting too much.

My oldest daughter suggested fostering as I liked being around children, so I thought about it, gave Essex County Council a call and then my daughter and I went along to the fostering evening to learn more. The evening was so enjoyable, talking to lots of different people from social workers to foster carers, so we decided to go for it and we’ve never looked back.

I loved the entire process of becoming a foster carer. From speaking with other foster carers, finding out about the training and support, to going to panel and then finding out that I had become a foster carer. It was a great experience.

I did worry I wouldn’t be able to foster to begin with due to lack of experience, but after speaking with Essex County Council and finding out more about fostering, my mind was put to rest. You can be married, single, part of a same sex couple and from as young as 21 years old or an older person.

I have been fostering for three years now and have fostered around eight children and young people. My two daughters (aged 25 and 18) and my dad (aged 78) are all involved and have been since the beginning. My foster children just love being with ‘grandad’ in the garden.

We are very much a fostering family. Giving up the business means spending more quality time together, as I would often be working weekends or distracted with sorting invoices. Sharing the fostering experience with one another is a wonderful thing. I see my children form loving attachments, sharing happy memories, experiencing new things together and making lifelong friends. That’s priceless and worth more than any money you might make running a business.

Fostering has completely transformed our lives for the better. I’m no longer working long hours in my shop. I'm now able to spend more time, and more importantly quality time, with my daughters and my dad whilst looking after our foster children. We are always a little bit heartbroken when one of our foster children leaves though because they have become part of our family.

Fostering may be a ‘full-time job’ but one that we all love and one that can really change your life for the better. We don’t really look at it as work though, as it’s not your typical 9-5. For us, it’s more important having the love and time to include others in your life and your home. We get to spend even more quality time together as a family, more than any other job allows.

Our foster children are part of this family. Even though I may only play a small part in their lives, I have such a good relationship with them. I always tell them that my door is always open to them should they want to visit again.

I have fostered different all age ranges, as well as mother and baby placements. Each young person requires something different. Whatever their age I enjoy fostering them because I know I can help them in some way.

Teenagers often get a bad reputation. They may need extra emotional support, at least to begin with, because they could have been through a lot in their young lives, but when they come to you, they bring a new lease of life into your home. I feel that by giving them the stability of love and care, we have seen them all feel a sense of belonging and supported to move forward in areas of their lives.

There are challenges, of course, but the training and support Essex County Council provides is brilliant. The training gives you the tools and knowledge you need to be able to help your foster children. Some of the courses I’ve completed have been in trauma informed therapeutic training, attachment training and mother and baby training. I always want to look after my foster children to the best of my ability and this training enhances that.

I have also made many wonderful friendships whilst being part of this process. The support from other foster carers is invaluable and knowing that there is always someone at the end of the phone to go to for guidance or support is a comfort.

Making our foster children feel like they have a safe place, somewhere they can go, is something I don’t take for granted. I just want to give them stability, safety and consistency, and when they leave, they know that I am a part of their support network should they need me. It can have a massive impact on a child’s life.

My only regret is that I didn’t start fostering sooner. The rewards I get out of fostering have enriched my life and the lives of my family. We have such a better understanding of what families and children go through that we don’t take things for granted anymore.

If you are thinking about fostering, go along to a virtual fostering information event to find out what support is out there and talk to your friends and family. You could make a difference to children and young people’s lives.

I count myself lucky to have the freedom to share our lives and our home. I feel it is an honourable position to be in. I enjoy caring for the young children in placement, helping them feel part of our family and feeling loved by us all. Giving them the opportunity to grow and achieve, to see them enjoying life and sharing with them many life experiences.

I couldn’t be happier. I have a new direction and purpose in life and I’m also playing a part in helping young people and what could be better than that?

Take a listen to Rachael story: https://youtu.be/aG5L0arY0as

Join us for a online information event where you can speak with foster carers like Rachael and find out more and ask any questions you may have.