Camden New JOurnal - Letters: Fostering

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Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 1 November 2007

Fostering was about me wanting to give back

• AS the foster carer of a lovely little boy who was placed with me through Camden Council’s fostering team, and someone who was in care myself, I have become concerned about some of the articles you have been running about being in care.
I believe it’s so important that people aren’t discouraged from becoming foster carers and that’s why I want to share my story with your readers.
Things were tough at home and mum realised she needed help so I moved to a large residential home in Derby with my little brother and sister. Our youngest sister went to a live with foster parents. I was 10 years old and I finally felt a sense of safety. Being there together meant we could focus on how to be children and how to be with other children.
Not every child has a good experience in residential care, but I did. When we got there I don’t remember any of us crying. It had been traumatic at home and we understood why we had to come into care.
It was a lovely place and we called our carers auntie and uncle. There were loads of grounds and a dog and we played tennis and swam in the pool and once a week we’d go to the gym. It was like a family home with a coal fire and television in the sitting room and a huge dining area.
That’s not to say I didn’t miss home. It was difficult at times with my parents, but they were always loving and whatever was going on between them we knew they cared for us. After four years and support from social workers we were able to go back to live with my mum in London. Our bond as brothers and sisters and as a family had remained strong.
I always wanted to foster and always said once I had the room I would do it. That happened two years ago.
I made the call to Camden’s fostering team – it was about me wanting to give back.
It’s a rigorous process including lots of intensive training where you find out what fostering is all about.
Not only about the good but also about the trauma these children are going through. They’re not looking for people with perfect lives they want foster carers with resilience, who have come through things and who have developed.
I was approved and within weeks they said, “we’ve got a little boy for you”.
There’s support of course and lots of training, that’s something you have to commit wholeheartedly to.
My foster child came to me when he was eight. He really loves his mum and wants to be with his family, so it was hard at first. But we sat down and talked about his likes (mainly football and basketball) and dislikes. Even though he’s come into care he’s stayed at the same school. He is doing really well and gets fantastic reports.
When the child comes into your life their life is in chaos. You offer stability, safety and consistency and a platform for them to go and find a long-term family.
I would recommend fostering to anyone who has it in their heart to offer a child a place in their home and their lives, if only for a short time.
name and address supplied

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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