When Juniper* first began her fostering journey, it took her awhile to find the right fostering agency, but when she walked into the offices of Quality Foster Care, she knew immediately she had found “the one.” They were open and honest about the realities of fostering and the process of becoming a carer; they didn’t hide behind buzzwords or jargon; they were clear and upfront about everything. It was clear to her that they were committed to helping children and carers. They were real people, giving real answers to her questions about fostering; what it truly involved and what it actually meant to become a carer.
In this interview, Juniper opens up about the importance of having a strong support network as a single carer, whether it’s family, friends or peers who understand the journey firsthand. She talks about how grateful she is to have a job that allows flexibility, so she can be fully present for her foster child and birth child, and for the wavering support of her family and the Foster Carers she has met along the way. Most importantly, she reminds us that being a Foster Carer is about more than just having a spare room. It’s about changing a child’s life forever by being there to guide them.
Can you talk to us a bit about your fostering experience and journey with Quality Foster Care so far?
I have been fostering with Quality Foster Care for 6 years now. The size of the team and the people make it all very personable, and they have made it a very positive experience. Everyone knows who you are, they know what you’re talking about, and how to support you.
Why did you choose Quality Foster Care?
I spoke to a few agencies before I joined Quality Foster Care, I even did a training session with a pretty large agency, but it felt very corporate. They used a lot of jargon and buzzwords which made it sound right but on closer inspection you notice all the emails are prewritten and impersonable, whereas when I contacted Quality Foster Care, I was able to speak to an actual person. They have an office near my house, so I was able to pop in, I spoke to a member of the team, and I could put faces to names; they made me feel comfortable straightaway. They were upfront and honest about the fostering journey.
They were really straightforward about what my fostering experience could be, what support I will receive, and what the training would be like. And it all felt very comfortable and genuinely friendly.
What inspired you to consider becoming a Foster Carer?
It was something I always wanted to do. I had the house; I had the spare room but for personal reasons I couldn’t do it. I then became redundant, and it just felt like the right time, things sort of fell into place.
My birth child was older and could be part of the conversation and decision making because we were doing this as a family. We had a lot of in-depth conversations with everybody who would potentially be involved.
After my redundancy I found myself a job that offered me the flexibility I needed to be there for the children and be able to fulfil their needs. I was upfront with my biological children from the start, and they are very supportive and understanding.
I was also excited about having the opportunity to learn about the therapeutic approach to parenting and supporting children that have had some of the worst childhoods. So, we took the plunge and here we are!
How did you find the process and training when joining Quality Foster Care?
I really enjoy training. It was overwhelming to start with but equally finding the right training was eye opening to say the least. I have done a lot of training with Quality Foster Care, and what has stuck with me is the sheer level of legislation that goes into everything. The work and paperwork that goes into fostering can be overwhelming and seeing the part that you play on your part as a carer is minimal compared to what your Social Workers does each day.
A lot of the courses give you a glimpse into what you may need to know, but I would say being mindful of selfcare and reminding people to look after themselves is really important too. But the team at Quality Foster Care is amazing. Everybody I come across is amazing. I’ve met such incredible people being a Foster Carer.
Have you felt supported by the team?
The fostering team at Quality Foster Care are all phenomenal, and they have so many different insights. They’ have been through it all, and they show me that there is another way of looking at a situation. It’s a real opportunity to try things a different way than I would have before. I have had some challenging situations, which is normal, especially when you’re trying to support older children and you can find yourself in tricky situations. They genuinely listen, and they take the time to understand what’s going on around you, and what support you need from them.
Has there been a moment where you’ve felt especially supported by them?
I can’t point to just one moment where I’ve felt support by Quality Foster Care – they are always there for me. We have had some challenging situations and some of them have been quite overwhelming, and they have been there to give me the tools to work through any challenges. They sit and listen to what needs to be done. And they offer extra support if it’s needed.
What advice would you give for foster carers who are fostering older children?
I think it’s important to be honest with how you feel. We manage ourselves to help manage the children manage how they feel and help them express themselves safely. It can be hard to do, but being upfront with what you need is important. Honesty is at the forefront of what we do so we can keep everybody safe and do right by the children we look after.
What impact has Fostering had on you and your family?
We’ve had a real mixed bag, and we are on a positive track. I have an amazing family that are there to support me when I need them. I am a single Foster Carer, so I’m grateful to have them there to help me when I need a hand. It’s important to have that support system. When you’re bringing children into your home as a single parent and you have an only child learning how to share their parent, it can be challenging and tricky.
My birth child is incredibly empathetic and has been involved throughout the whole process; it was important she was part of the decision-making process of who she was comfortable bringing into our home. I also wanted her to understand what that may look like and what to expect. We have a fabulous young person with us now, who has quickly become part of the family.
What support systems or resources have you found the most valuable?
Well, aside from my amazing family and everyone I work with. You meet amazing people that are in similar situations to you through training opportunities about things like ADHD, ASD or Makaton which gives you a whole new insight and ways of finding resources for yourself and the child you’re caring for. I have done any training that was sent my way, as it’s something I really enjoy I have completed the Attachment and Trauma-Informed Care (ATIC™) training and the Level 3 Therapeutic Care.
Have you attended any of the sort of peer-to-peer support groups?
I found the peer-to-peer support groups that Quality Foster Care run really helpful. Having a chat with someone who is in a similar situation as you where you can connect with them as a “parent” is different to when you speak to a Social Worker who may understand but not in the same way a carer would. Some carers share their phone numbers so that we can continue to support and connect with each other. These sessions are full of supportive people, it is such a nice group of people and it is so helpful having support outside your agency because sometimes you just want to bounce an idea off somebody or just have a chat about your day with someone who’s going through the same thing as you.
What do you wish you knew before you started your journey to becoming a Foster Carer?
During the process to become a Foster Carer, remember going to panel and being asked “what are you most worried about?” And my immediate reaction was; “the amount of extra washing I was going to have to do because it’s an extra person in the house” but in reality, it was the paperwork. It took a while to get used to recording daily logs, risk assessments, care planning, and adjustments.
Do you have a favourite fostering moment or memory?
A favourite moment for me involves the young person we have right now, who is a Neurodivergent child with extensive complex needs. We went to an event organised by Quality Foster Care, and the other children took him in and played with him and made sure he was included, so he was able to enjoy himself and he had the best time. He is still learning how to interact with other children, but he was so engaged. Just seeing that enjoyment in his face and watching kids accept him with no questions was amazing to see. It was a truly brilliant moment because when you’ve got a child that is a little bit trickier to take care of, not everybody is accepting but these kids dived into playing with him without a second thought.
What have you learned about yourself?
As a Foster Carer, I’ve learned that you can always find the fight. Sometimes things in life can feel overwhelming but you always find the strength to fight for what your family and foster child need. You find that energy to get on with it. You take the best bits of everyday, and those are the moments that make you smile at the end of the day.
Advice anyone considering fostering?
For anyone considering fostering, I would say it’s about more than just the spare room, because you’re taking on children who may stay with you and be part of your life forever.
So, be really honest with yourself and with the people who are going to be part of your fostering journey, find the right agency and remember that although it may not always be easy, it is incredibly rewarding. You will make a difference in children’s lives, not just for the week or years that they are with you but their whole lives. Being a Foster Carer is impactful in ways you may never realise, it shouldn’t be underestimated.
*Name has been changed
