Julia and Pete

Julia and Pete have been fostering since 2004. During their time as foster carers they have developed their skills and gained experience of working with children with special needs. They have recently moved to Band 4, the highest payment level, due to their work with children with very complex needs.

Why did you become foster carers?

Because we felt that within our lives we had the room to look after more children and didn’t want any more children of our own.

Before you became foster carers, what in your life had prepared you for the task ahead?

Coming from a large close knit family helped us to understand the importance of positive relationships. I think being parents helped as well.

What sort of fostering do you do?

When we began our fostering career we were very real in realising our own limits to the children we could look after. It is only as we have progressed and looked after children with additional health and developmental needs that our confidence and knowledge has expanded. It has been a very natural progression for us as a family and a road that we have all enjoyed travelling. Being part of a multi-agency team is almost natural for us now and something that we respond well to. The support and advice that we have received from our supervising social worker has helped us realise that we have the confidence and experience to offer placements to children who have special needs. Being part of the child’s life is very rewarding, really small improvements become a major celebration. Celebrating children for who they are and realising that illness is not an identity is something that is very much felt by us. Promoting and advocating for a young person is one of the most rewarding things we do and just that little smile, tear or hug means the absolute world to us.

How has fostering affected your children?

We have a daughter who has travelled the journey fully, and is an inspiration to us and the rest of our family. We have never kept her out of any decisions around our ability to care for any of the children we have looked after. Whilst at times in the journey our emotions have been torn apart through different processes the strengths that she offers everyone child or adult is a credit to her attitude to sharing her mum and dad with the children we have looked after. Whilst we never wished to have other children ourselves this whole role has allowed us all to share our lives with others.

How does fostering compare to other ‘career’ options?

As an option it is one that needs to be thought about very carefully, it is a 24/7 role that requires a decision made by the whole of the family. It is important to realise that you may experience, negativity, anger, abuse, rejection, emotional highs and lows, peer pressure, animosity, and total exhaustion. If you feel you need a challenge and a new perspective of life this is definitely for you. And do you know what, we wouldn’t change it for the world!!  

In your experience, what are the rewards of fostering?

Great friendships, new families, long lasting professional acquaintances Oh and not to forget the children we have looked after and those long lasting smiles or tantrums.  

What would you say to someone who was considering becoming a foster carer?

Think very seriously about what you are considering and how it might affect the whole of your family. Is your household ready for it? Do you mind being last in the queue for the bathroom? Can you handle the tantrums, the rejection, the meetings, the professional intrusion and most of all another person running around your house touching all those things that you cherish.

Applying to foster