Sue's Blog

“Fostering is one of the hardest, but most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had, and it’s one I don’t want to ever end.”

I’ve always worked with children throughout my life, and when my friend started fostering I saw how rewarding they found it and the children they helped. It was then, I knew it was something I wanted to do, so when we moved house and we had the space, we decided it was the right time to foster.

I’ve now been fostering for 10 wonderful years and have fostered around 50 children within that time, I’ve fostered all ages, including teenagers.

Over the past 10 years I have learned so much and I continue to learn with every young person I foster, but I also learn from other foster carers. The support network of foster carers in Essex is brilliant. I have met so many amazing foster carers over the years who have helped me in so many ways.

The fostering team at Essex County Council have been so supportive since day one. I couldn’t fault them. Having someone to call when you need advice is invaluable. This helps you, which in turn also helps the children you foster.

Every child deserves to feel secure and have stability in their home life, and that’s what I try to offer. I give my foster children structure and make them feel safe, but also make sure they have lots of fun and allow them to be children.

Children don’t always get the best start in life, and they need to be given opportunities. Especially teenagers, who are often going through a transitional time in their life and can have hurdles to get over. By giving them that safety and stability you allow them to stop worrying to just focus on themselves.

Fostering can come in all forms, there is no one reason why children come into care. All they want is to feel loved, safe and stability from someone who supports them. You just need to be there for them.

The most fulfilling part of fostering young people is building those relationships. When a foster child comes to you, it can take a while for them to trust you, but when you start to see them grow and flourish in their life, its the most rewarding thing to see.

You may only be a small part of their journey, but you can still have a positive impact on their life and build these amazing relationships, even after they’ve moved on.

One young person sent me a lovey Mother’s Day card thanking me for all I had done whilst they were staying with me. The card took me by surprise because I hadn’t realised how much of an impact I’d had on this young person’s life. This reinforced what I am doing for these foster children is right and that it can make such a difference to them, when they don’t always have anything.

Fostering has completely changed my life. I love the hustle and the bustle in the house and the energy these children bring into the house is amazing.

If you’re thinking of fostering, I can honestly say that it is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had, but it is one of the most rewarding as well, and it’s one I don’t want to ever end.

To find out more attend one of the online information event where you can speak with foster carers like Sue and ask any questions you may have.