The importance of community for foster families
Raising children is always easier when parents have a strong support network. However, ‘finding your village’ can be more challenging for foster parents. Looking after children in need of foster care is extremely rewarding but can occasionally feel like an isolating experience. At Focus Foster Care, we understand the challenges foster carers face and that is why we work hard to make sure all of our fostering families have a whole network of people supporting them.
Caring for children in need of foster care is not the same as raising your own biological children. There are often birth family visits to organise, training sessions to attend, meetings and appointments to go to. As well as all of this, children and young people often experience many complex challenges that need to be approached in a calm and considered way. There is no denying that fostering can be difficult, but it is possible for children and their foster carers to thrive with the right support.
At our independent fostering agency, we are committed to building a nurturing fostering community. We host regular social events for foster carers and their children. These frequent meet ups provide our foster carers with opportunities to meet other people experiencing their unique way of life. Foster carers can talk to each other about the challenges they face and offer valuable peer support. Our fostering family social events also provide children with the opportunity to make new friends and connect with other young people living away from their birth families. We understand the important role birth children play in their fostering families and they are always welcome to join us on our days out too.
The benefits of foster family social events
Over the years we have spent several fun days out with our fostering families. The children have enjoyed pumpkin picking, farm visits, picnics and exploring various National Trust spots in the local area. Time spent outdoors has many benefits and we are pleased to offer our foster families the opportunity to make special memories together, while also supporting their mental and physical health.
We asked two of our fostering households for their thoughts on foster family social events. This is what they had to say –
Support networks for foster carers
If you are thinking about fostering but are worried about not having a support network, there are several steps you can take to build your own ‘village’.
Foster with a nurturing fostering agency
Whether you choose to foster with the Local Authority or an independent fostering agency, it is important that you feel well supported in your role. Focus Foster Care is an independent fostering agency based in Kenilworth, and we pride ourselves on being a tight-knit, nurturing team. We offer all of our foster carers round the clock telephone support and make the effort to get to know everyone in our fostering community.
Connect online
There are several online forums where foster carers can connect and offer peer support. The internet is a great place to talk to other foster carers and can be a useful tool if you don’t know any other foster families in real life.
Join The Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity. By becoming a member, foster carers will have access to professional support, telephone helplines and online communities, as well as training and social events. The Fostering Network website is also a useful place for foster carers to find advice and helpful resources.
Find local support groups
Support groups provide foster carers with regular opportunities to meet up and connect. These groups are a great place to meet other foster carers in your local area and build new friendships. You can search online or ask your social worker if they know of any foster carer support groups near you. Never underestimate how beneficial talking to someone who understands exactly what you are going through can be.
Looking for an independent fostering agency near you ...
Finding the right fostering agency for you is a vital first step of your fostering career. It is important that you feel well supported in your role and know that you have a team of professionals working alongside you.
Focus Foster Care is an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ fostering agency, based in Kenilworth. We are currently expanding our fostering team and are looking for foster carers in the West Midlands to join the Focus family.
Click the links below to find out more about fostering with us –
Benefits of fostering with Focus Foster Care
Do you want to learn more about joining our supportive fostering agency? Click the button below to visit fill out our contact form and a member of our team will be in touch.