Colin and Pam’s Transferring Story
Have you ever thought about transferring to a new fostering agency? Meet foster parents Colin and Pam as they share their story of what it was like to transfer to FCA while having children in their care, and discover the difference that fostering as a couple has made to their lives.
Our family
“Fostering was something we’ve always been interested in,” said Pam, who alongside her husband Colin has been fostering with FCA since 2023. “When our own son flew the nest and went off to university, we decided that it was our time to foster.”
Colin and Pam began their fostering journey with another Independent Fostering Agency before transferring to FCA. Pam continued to work part-time while fostering, while Colin took on the role of full-time foster dad to the couple’s three boys, the oldest of whom is 13.
“We made our decision and we never looked back,” Colin said. “I took to fostering like a duck to water, I just absolutely love it. Throughout my working life I’d never really had much time at home before, I was just constantly out working. Now I have so much time to dedicate to the children.”
“Our boys are just fantastic. Though they are all from different families, they get on just like any other siblings— one minute they can’t stand each other, but in the next breath they’re running around playing and laughing together. It’s great to see how they’ve all developed during their time with us so far.
Finding the right fostering agency
While things were fantastic at home with their boys, behind the scenes Colin and Pam were struggling to get the support they needed from their previous Independent Fostering Agency. Pam said:
“We’ve fought like tigers for our boys. Our previous fostering agency just wasn’t giving us the support we needed for our boys and for ourselves. We were already feeling a bit disillusioned, but the final straw was that we had to cancel a holiday because no suitable respite arrangements could be made for our three children. After that, I started searching for somewhere new.”
Pam came across an advert for FCA on Google, and was intrigued by what our agency could offer. She said:
“We were really drawn to FCA for the emphasis they have on looking at things through a therapeutic and caring lens, which is what our boys needed. Being such a widespread agency, we’ve never had any issues with FCA in finding great families to provide respite. The difference in the support we’ve received has been enormous.”
Colin and Pam also highlighted the great support they’ve found in the wider FCA community.
“FCA have always championed us and advocated for our family’s needs,” Colin added. “We shout from the rooftops about how good they’ve been to us. We also love that there’s an office local to us where we’ve made plenty of friends within the fostering community. They even organise events just for foster dads— not long ago, I went out with FCA’s Operations Director for a curry night with a bunch of others, and there are also lots of family friendly events which we can take the kids along to.”
“You can also get involved in giving back by helping other foster parents. Just a couple of days ago I went along to a coffee morning with some new foster parent recruits who are going through the assessment process, to give them help and advice on what to expect. There’s a real community spirit at FCA, and everyone chips in to help wherever they can.”
Lessons from fostering
“If I were to sum up our fostering experience as a whole, I would say it’s been both very challenging and very rewarding,” Colin said. “It completely changes your life. You’ll always be busy, and having the kids around you keeps you young.”
“We would take in every child, if we could,” Pam added. “Fostering has been really intense at times, but there have also been many happy tears. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s not like any other job in the world. If you want to foster, you have to throw your whole heart and soul into it.”
The couple’s lives have been changed for the better by becoming foster parents, and they’ve found the right home for their family here at FCA. Pam said:
“To anyone who’s thinking about fostering, don’t hesitate. Life’s too short. Don’t let any minor concerns you may have drown out your passion for helping children— be brave and take that step into the unknown. Embrace the journey, day by day, and one day it will feel like the most natural thing in the world. Be open minded and don’t have any expectations going in, as every child’s needs are different.”
“You’ll have expert support every step of the way,” Colin said. “For me personally, I’d say that fostering has been life changing. After a lifetime of working non-stop outside of the home, being able to dedicate myself to raising our wonderful boys and seeing them grow feels like finding a green oasis in a desert. It’s what I’ve been searching for years and years.”
Join Colin and Pam in making a difference
Foster parents up and down the UK are making a difference to children’s lives every day. There’s a real need for more foster parents right now, especially those who can welcome multiple children as Colin and Pam have. If you’d love to learn more about fostering, contact our team today.
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.
