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Fostering in Eastern
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Respite Fostering in Essex
July 13, 2011
Nicola and Paul, who are currently fostering in Essex with FCA, became foster carers in 2010. Shortly after their approval, they undertook respite foster care. Not only were the couple able to make respite care a real success, they were able to do so on the (somewhat hectic) run up to their wedding.
“It was extremely busy and we had lots to juggle,” remembers Nicola. “Respite foster care is very hard work but very rewarding and such good fun.
“Since I was at school I’d wanted to work with children and young people and make a difference to the lives of others. However, the opportunity to work for an investment bank on an equity trading floor presented itself and that’s the path I took.”
Deciding to become respite foster carers
During her 12 years in investment banking, Nicola became involved in a number of voluntary roles with children and young people; these included pony riding with disabled children, talking to children on a dedicated phone line, and visiting people’s homes.
“All of this experience made me realise that I wanted to do more; the question was, what?” explains Nicola. “It wasn’t until further down the line that we talked to a friend who was brought up in foster care. The discussion soon moved onto both our childhoods and we acknowledged that we both had very similar ideas in regards to raising children and that we both had had a very positive childhood, something that we felt would be good to share.”
As a couple, Paul and Nicola considered themselves to be very settled and secure, and to have the space in their house and their hearts to offer to a child or young person on respite foster care. They decided to apply to become foster carers with FCA on the basis that they would see what happened. Originally, the couple were concerned that they might not be considered as they didn’t have birth children of their own, but they soon found out that that wasn’t an issue with respite foster care.
The challenges of respite fostering in Essex
“There have of course been highs, lows and numerous challenges with respite foster care,” says Nicola. “The biggest high is the sound of laughter in the house – our house feels alive now, and we have the chance to make a difference to another person’s life. The lows are managing what can sometimes be difficult behaviour and sleepless nights. The challenges we face with respite fostering are juggling a very full diary; with meetings, foster carer training, CWDC and ensuring the children maintain contact with their birth families. That’s a lot to fit in!
“But the real rewards are seeing these children grow, learn, and blossom; seeing them smile, and hearing them laugh… need we say more?”
A positive experience with respite fostering in Essex
“FCA provides a whole host of training, throughout the year, which is fantastic and gives us the tools that we need to be able to foster respite placements to the best of our ability,” Nicola says. “Training is also a good opportunity to meet with other carers and learn from each other and support each other.
“We chose FCA for respite foster care as it is the UK’s largest Independent Fostering Agency, with a proven track record, excellent reputation, and a unique Team Parenting™ approach. This, combined with the out of hours service which gives complete 365 days a year, 24 hours a day support for foster carers, made it the agency for us.
“To anyone considering fostering, I would say ‘make that call today’!”
Could you foster in Eastern?
For more information about fostering in Essex or fostering in Eastern with FCA, give us a call on 0800 023 4561 or enquire online today.
