What is it like to grow up in care?
In this month’s episode of the Let’s Talk About Fostering podcast, Faye is joined by Jess, who has worked as a Participation Officer at FCA Thames Valley for two years, using her experiences of growing up in care between the ages of 7 and 18 to help children and young people feel heard.
She and Faye discuss Jess’s experiences growing up in care, how finding the right match made all the difference, and the steps she’s taking in her role as Participation Officer to make sure kids in care have a voice.
What’s covered in this month’s episode?
Jess knows what it’s like to have your world turned upside down and have no choice but to start over in an unfamiliar home with strangers at a very young age.
From the day she moved into care and staying connected to her sibling, to leaving care and her role in supporting young people at FCA, Jess shares an honest account of what it’s like to grow up in care in the UK and what she’s doing now to improve foster children’s lives.
Sit down, relax, and listen to Jess and Faye discuss:
- What it’s like to move into care
- The importance of nurturing sibling relationships
- How the right match made all the difference
- The challenges of growing up in care
- How Jess’s foster mum has influenced her life
- Being a care-experienced mum
- The lasting impact of trauma
- The role of a Participation Officer
- Jess’s experience of feeling isolated in care
- Creating a community and sense of belonging
- Making sure every child is heard
- Preparing teenagers for independence
- What Jess would like to see improved in fostering
- The ‘My Things Matter’ campaign – what it is and why it matters
- Jess’s message to children in care
- Favourite moments of working at FCA so far
“We want to be safe. We want to be in a stable home. And we want that love and support that everybody has.”
Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.
Could you foster?
If you:
- Are over 21
- Have a spare bedroom
- Have the legal right to live and work in the UK
- Are passionate about helping children and young people in care thrive
We’d love to hear from you! Call us today on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form to learn more about fostering with FCA, including our support for foster children and foster parents, training programme, fostering allowances and more.
More Fostering Stories:
