Foster Care Stories
Rachel and Denise’s story
“If we hadn’t have transferred we’d have stopped fostering all together.”
When you’re a foster carer, finding the right agency to share the journey alongside you is everything. At Team Fostering you join a community of foster carers and a family which is there for you every step of the way – with incredible support and a not-for profit ethos which puts children at the heart of everything they do.
But not everybody’s fostering journey starts out like that. Foster carers transfer to us who haven’t had the support or breath of service from other agencies – and when the challenges of fostering raise their head, that’s the most important thing.
The start of the fostering journey
Denise and Rachel began fostering five years ago. After adopting a little boy, and considering adopting again, a series of circumstances led them to fostering. They decided they would like to provide a safe, loving home to even more children in need.
Denise explained: “Things started off alright at our previous agency and then they started to go downhill.
During a particularly challenging part of their journey, Denise and Rachel weren’t able to access the support they needed and that’s when they decided change was needed to enable them to continue fostering.
Denise said: “We had some friends who were with Team Fostering so we had a long chat with them. That’s when we made the decision to transfer.”
A simple transfer process
Starting the assessment process again can be a daunting prospect. But Team Fostering are there to make it pain free – from a confidential first chat to a simple transfer process which builds upon information you’ve already provided before.
Denise said: “It was really smooth. Sam the assessor was absolutely brilliant. She made us feel really comfortable and at home.
“It wasn’t as daunting as it was the first time. It was also handy that they used your existing Form F because all the information they needed was already on there and we didn’t need to go as far back in history.”
A positive start to life at Team Fostering
After being approved as foster carers with Team Fostering, Denise and Rachel were quickly introduced to the wide range of support available.
Denise said: “I can’t express enough what the support’s been like compared to what we haven’t had in the past. What Team Fostering can offer with all the individual departments they have. It’s a breath of fresh air.
“We’ve been impressed by the amount of staff and carers who’ve been here for a long time and it’s the norm.
“At our previous agency we were made to feel stupid and like we just have to get on with it and that’s not what it should be like.”
A smooth transition for young people
When Denise and Rachel transferred to Team Fostering they had two teenagers living with them, who joined them in the transfer. A smooth transition for any young people currently with a foster carer is of the upmost importance at Team Fostering.
Denise said: “The teenagers have been with us for four years now. We spoke to them about transferring but they were really positive because they felt like they weren’t being supported by the previous agency.
“They’d heard good things from their friends who were already with Team Fostering and were excited about a future with an agency which offers a lot more activities, is more centred around their needs and towards building their skills and confidence.”
An improved programme of activities
At Team Fostering, the programme of activities organised for carers far surpasses what Denise and Rachel had experienced before. They offer everything from trips to theme parks and activities like ice skating and climbing to Christmas parties, meals for carers and an annual Team holiday.
Denise said: “All activities at our former agency were organised by foster carers and were in areas too far out for us.
“How Team Fostering does it is brilliant. It’s organised for you, it’s so much easier.
“We’ve just recently attended the Children’s Christmas party and the Carer’s Christmas meal. We were really impressed that the party was all child focussed. The children really enjoyed it, they felt safe and comfortable and were making new friends.
“At the care’s meal it was really welcoming. Lots of people spotted we were new and were coming over to talk to us and were genuinely interested in us. It’s a completely different feeling and we already feel like part of the family.”
Advice for taking the next step
Taking the first step to transfer can feel like a big one. But for Denise and Rachel it was the best decision they could make.
Denise said: “I’d recommend Team Fostering to anyone I come across.
“We found the idea quite daunting but it’s easier than you think.
“If we hadn’t have transferred we’d have stopped fostering all together.”
Would you like your fostering journey to be different? Get in touch with us for a confidential chat on 0800 292 2003 or submit an online enquiry below.