Fostering vs. Adoption: Which is Right for Me?

On the fence about whether you should foster or adopt?

In the latest episode of the Let’s Talk About Fostering podcast, host Faye sits down with Tim Jarvis, a bearded biker, former doorman, and business owner who has lived experience of both fostering and adoption.  

He and his wife Claire have been fostering for 14 years and currently have a teenager in their care, alongside raising their adopted daughter and biological son. Tim shares his insights into fostering, adoption, and what it’s like to be an unconventional foster parent.

What do Faye and Tim chat about?

Tim provides an honest account of what it’s like to foster vs. adopt and how they differ – from assessments and family time arrangements to life story work and support.   

If you’re ready to hear Tim’s take, tune in to him talking to Faye about: 

  • What inspired him and Claire to foster 
  • Fostering below the UK average age of 54 
  • What it’s like to be an unconventional foster parent 
  • The importance of diversity in fostering 
  • The dynamic between Tim and his foster daughter 
  • From only fostering teenagers to adopting the baby they fostered  
  • Tim’s advice on how to decide between fostering and adoption 
  • The key differences between fostering and adoption 
  • The truth about the fostering assessment  
  • The reality of adoption  
  • Helping a child understand their past 
  • Nurturing a sense of identity in foster kids 
  • Talking to birth children about adoption 
  • Quick fire questions  
  • Traits of a good foster parent  
  • Treating every child in the home the same 
  • Advice for prospective adopters and foster parents 
  • Who can foster 
  • Tim’s favourite moment so far 

“Anyone, anywhere can foster a child… and make an amazing difference.”

 

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Are you ready to make a difference?

If you’d like to learn more about fostering with FCA, call us today on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form. 

Whether you have specific questions or just want to find out more about the support, training, and allowances we offer here at FCA, our team are ready to help you.  

You can also discover what it’s really like to be a foster parent by listening to our other podcast episodes, reading our foster parent stories, and checking out our latest news and blogs.  



More Fostering Stories: 

The Truth About Fostering Babies & Under 5s

Want to know what it’s really like to foster very young children?

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Fostering podcast, host Faye sits down with FCA foster mum Jamila, who began her journey 6 years ago after being inspired by her sister, who has fostered with FCA for 15 years.  

She currently cares for a 2- and 3-year-old sibling pair alongside a 5-month-old boy but has also cared for older children and has three teenagers of her own. 

Jamila and Faye explore the realities of fostering babies, including the joys of this type of fostering, how it differs from fostering older children, common misconceptions and how to prepare both practically and emotionally for their arrival and departure.  

What to expect from this month’s episode 

Jamila gets real with Faye about fostering babies, which at FCA typically means children between the ages of 0 and 3. 

So if you’ve ever been curious about becoming a foster parent to young children, sit down, relax, and listen to Faye and Jamila discuss: 

  • The difference between caring for younger and older children. 
  • Jamila’s favourite thing about caring for under 5s. 
  • The rewards of helping children feel safe enough to be themselves. 
  • The very real impact of trauma on young children. 
  • Misconceptions about fostering babies. 
  • Helping toddlers feel stable when welcoming a new child. 
  • How to practically, mentally, and emotionally prepare for a new foster child. 
  • Fostering babies on their own 
  • Challenges of fostering babies.  
  • Fostering babies alongside siblings 
  • A brief overview of parent and child fostering. 
  • Preparing and coping with saying goodbye to young children.  
  • Fostering siblings, and why it’s important to keep them together.  
  • Jamila’s favourite memory of fostering babies. 

“It’s being able to be part of pure innocence and joy from a little one. You can’t beat that feeling.“

 

🎧 Click here to watch – or search ‘Let’s Talk About Fostering’ on your chosen podcast platform.

Learn more about fostering today 

If you’d like to make a real difference in the lives of children in care, whether they’re babies, toddlers or teenagers, call us today on 0800 023 4561 or submit your details via our online form.  

From fostering allowances, support and training to what to expect when you welcome your first child, our friendly advisors are ready to answer any burning questions you may have.  



More Fostering Stories: 

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