Carol and her family have been fostering since 2005. After almost two decades with their local authority, they made the decision to transfer to Foster Care Associates.
“We had a lot of loyalty with the local authority,” Carol explains. “But we didn’t feel part of the process anymore – and we felt alone.”
Carol and her husband have looked after around 20 children over the years, from short-term stays to long-term care. Their current foster daughter, now 16, arrived when she was just three years old.
From adoption to fostering
Carol says her family’s fostering journey started with adoption. “We have two adopted children of our own, and while we were going through that process, it gave us a glimpse of what it’s like to be a foster carer. We felt we could do it – and that experience really helped us to understand how to help children move on.”
She’s open about how big the decision to transfer was. “We did our homework. We wanted to make sure we were finding the right place – not just for us, but for the whole family.”
A smooth transition
At the time of transferring, Carol had a teenage girl in her care. “It was very important that it didn’t have any impact on her care,” she says.
“One of the first things that happens when you submit your intent to transfer is a protocol meeting. Everyone involved in the child’s care is there – including someone from FCA and the child’s social worker. They’re there to make sure the level of care is maintained or improved.”
What stood out to Carol was the support. “We’re being represented at all the different meetings – the reviews, the education appointments. There’s always somebody there by our side.”
Feeling part of a team
Carol says a conversation with another foster parent helped her make the leap. “I spoke to her who’d also moved from the same local authority. The thing she said that stuck with me was: ‘I just wish I’d done it sooner.’”
That first phone call with FCA made all the difference. “It was lovely. I felt like our family would actually be wanted – like we’d be an asset to FCA. It felt like we’d be welcomed into a family. That’s why I chose FCA.”
The whole process, she says, was straightforward and well managed – from the initial visit to the application form and the official notice to transfer. “Even that was simple – I was just given a template to sign and send over.”
Her advice to others?
“To people thinking of fostering, I’d say – don’t think about it for too long. So many people say, ‘Oh, we’ve been thinking about doing that, but this or that stopped us.’ There’s always a reason not to – but if it’s in your heart, just go for it.”
Download our Transfer Guide
Want to learn more about the benefits of transferring to FCA?
We can fast-track your assessment in just 12 weeks, allowing you to experience the benefits of our supportive community sooner than you expect. Download our transfer fostering agency guide to discover the process and advantages of fostering with FCA.
