A letter from Hannah
Hi
My name is Hannah and when I was a child my parents fostered. I have written this letter to help you understand some of the things that happen if your family decides to foster.
So, what is fostering? Fostering is when you and your family decide to share your home with a young person/child or children who hasn’t got a family to live with. In my opinion, it is probably the most caring and sharing thing that anyone can do.
Sometimes a child’s parents can not look after them because they are ill or they could even be in prison for something they have done wrong. Sometimes they might even have died. There are so many reasons why a child or young person might need somewhere to live.
Your parents might have talked about fostering. If they have it is very important that you talk to them about it, because, if anything is worrying you, you must speak up and make people listen. When my family started fostering, Outlook arranged for a person to come to our home and answer any questions that we had about fostering. This person was a social worker. To make sure that you ask absolutely everything, I would suggest writing your questions on paper before the social worker arrives. That way you will get all of the answers.
The social worker then checks that your home is safe. They have to check that there is a spare bedroom for the child to stay in. Don’t worry, you won’t have to share your room as that wouldn’t be fair on you!
When the social worker said that our family was OK to foster, my parents were asked to go on a three day training course, which explained fostering in a lot more detail.
It’s strange sharing your parents and home with a new person. But everyone understands and there is always someone at Outlook to talk to and to help you.
I think it’s best to remember how the child is feeling. You will be sharing experiences, some good and some bad. The Outlook team explained that it is really important to make the child feel happy and safe. (It feels funny at first but you get used to it.) And, once you get to know each other, you can have lots of fun. I did.
It helps that Outlook don’t just put anybody into your home. They try really hard to find a child that will fit in to you family. After all they don’t want to upset your family. Before a child is placed the social workers will ask lots of questions – everything from what you watch on TV, what time you go to bed, if you like sports and what schools you attend. It all helps to build a picture of your family and who will fit in.
If your family are about to become foster carers, there’s lots to think about. And most of it is good. If you have any questions you can always call the team at Outlook.
I hope this helps
Hannah
My name is Hannah and when I was a child my parents fostered. I have written this letter to help you understand some of the things that happen if your family decides to foster.
So, what is fostering? Fostering is when you and your family decide to share your home with a young person/child or children who hasn’t got a family to live with. In my opinion, it is probably the most caring and sharing thing that anyone can do.
Sometimes a child’s parents can not look after them because they are ill or they could even be in prison for something they have done wrong. Sometimes they might even have died. There are so many reasons why a child or young person might need somewhere to live.
Your parents might have talked about fostering. If they have it is very important that you talk to them about it, because, if anything is worrying you, you must speak up and make people listen. When my family started fostering, Outlook arranged for a person to come to our home and answer any questions that we had about fostering. This person was a social worker. To make sure that you ask absolutely everything, I would suggest writing your questions on paper before the social worker arrives. That way you will get all of the answers.
The social worker then checks that your home is safe. They have to check that there is a spare bedroom for the child to stay in. Don’t worry, you won’t have to share your room as that wouldn’t be fair on you!
When the social worker said that our family was OK to foster, my parents were asked to go on a three day training course, which explained fostering in a lot more detail.
It’s strange sharing your parents and home with a new person. But everyone understands and there is always someone at Outlook to talk to and to help you.
I think it’s best to remember how the child is feeling. You will be sharing experiences, some good and some bad. The Outlook team explained that it is really important to make the child feel happy and safe. (It feels funny at first but you get used to it.) And, once you get to know each other, you can have lots of fun. I did.
It helps that Outlook don’t just put anybody into your home. They try really hard to find a child that will fit in to you family. After all they don’t want to upset your family. Before a child is placed the social workers will ask lots of questions – everything from what you watch on TV, what time you go to bed, if you like sports and what schools you attend. It all helps to build a picture of your family and who will fit in.
If your family are about to become foster carers, there’s lots to think about. And most of it is good. If you have any questions you can always call the team at Outlook.
I hope this helps
Hannah