Gary’s story
Research has shown that careful matching between the child and Foster Carer is more likely to result in positive outcomes. Gary’s story demonstrates how this process can bring the best results.
Having been known to Social Services from just four-weeks-old, Gary was referred to Outlook Fostering Services when he was 10. Before being placed with Outlook, he had been identified as having anger management difficulties. This had undoubtedly been exacerbated by the fact that he had previously lived in fifteen different homes and been excluded from school on a number of occasions.
Outlook Fostering took time to consider Gary’s specific needs in order to find a family that could provide him with the appropriate care, support and structure. Four years later, Gary has made significant progress, particularly at school. In fact, he has won awards for achievement and the high standard of his work.
From the outset, Gary’s new Foster Carers were committed to improving every aspect of his life. Their tenacity, combined with the support of the Outlook team, has given them the ability to deal with the challenges Gary presents, and make a real difference to his life.
Sally’s story
Taking care of a new baby doesn’t always come naturally. Sally’s story shows how fostering helps young mothers take responsibility and make considered choices.
Sally had been in care from the age of three, following serious neglect. Now 17, she was referred to Outlook Fostering for a parent and baby assessment just a few weeks before she was due to give birth to her own child.
Before becoming pregnant, Sally had found it difficult to care for herself, so her Social Workers were understandably concerned that she may not be able to look after her new baby. Because of this, her Local Authority needed a secure legal framework in order to protect the unborn child and an Interim Care Order was granted.
Following the birth, Sally and her new baby, Jack, were placed with an Outlook Foster Carer so that they could receive essential support and develop the parenting skills crucial at this early stage. At the same time, an experienced senior Social Worker carried out a Parenting Assessment, which was later submitted as the core of the Local Authority’s court report.
Initially, Sally made a good start and was given the time and space to develop both the mother/child relationship and her own parenting skills. As the twelve-week placement progressed, Sally was given more freedom and less supervision as appropriate. However, although Sally did well for the first four weeks, her parenting skills began to slip as she fell back into socialising. Therefore, her Foster Carer and assessing Social Worker provided Sally with relevant advice and guidance, helping her to decide what was best for Jack. He was subsequently freed for adoption.
Sally then moved into an independence programme; Jack remained with the carer, who facilitated the pre-adoption medicals and introductions, before he moved successfully into adoption.
A letter from Hannah
When Hannah was a child, her parents were Foster Carers. She wrote the following letter to help others understand what it can be like if your family decides to foster.
So what is fostering? Fostering is when you and your family decide to share your home with a child or young person 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.
There are so many reasons why a child or young person might need somewhere to live. Sometimes a child’s parents cannot look after them because they are ill or they could be in prison. Sometimes they might even have died.
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 Social Worker to come to our home and answer any questions that we had about fostering. The Social Worker then checks that your room is safe and 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 is strange sharing your parents and home with a new person. But there is always someone at Outlook that understands and is there to talk to and 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 really helps that Outlook doesn’t just put anyone into your home. They try really hard to find a child that will fit into your family. After all, they don’t want to upset your family. Before a child is placed, the Social Worker 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 well.
If your family are about to become Foster Carers, there’s lots to think about. And most of it is really good. And remember that if you have any questions, you can always call the team at Outlook.
I hope this helps, Hannah.
