Fostering: I want to Foster but my partner is unsure

Fostering a child is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but we recognise that it is also a huge commitment that requires a lot of patience, love, time and effort. If you are considering fostering but your partner is unsure, it can be a challenging situation. Here’s a few tips to help you and your partner make a decision:

Research: Before making a decision, it is important to understand what fostering is all about. It is essential that you look into the fostering environment, i.e. what are the requirements? what are the expectations?  This way you will learn about the process, the support available, and the challenges that you may face.  You can find this information on our website or through The Fostering Network <add links>

Open and Honest Conversations: It is really important for you to have open and honest conversations with your partner about any feelings, concerns, and expectations you have. Communication is key. We recommend that you share your thoughts, be honest and listen to your partner's perspective.

Meet our Foster Care Team: The best way to find out more information is to talk to us.  Give us a call on 0800 652 6955 to schedule a meeting with one of our fostering team social workers to ask questions, get information, and clear any apprehensions you might have. Talking to an experienced foster carer can be very informative and helpful when making your decision.

Talk to other Foster Carers: Chatting to people who have already gone through the fostering process can be very useful in helping you to make an informed decision. They can give you a real-life perspective on what it is like to foster a child and the support they receive from the agency. We hold fostering information events where you will have the opportunity to meet with one of our foster carers.  We’ve also got lots of foster carer stories on our website for you to read.  We can link you up with one of our foster carers if you want to talk to them on a one to one basis.

Include your Children: It is vitally important to involve all members of the family in the discussions and decision making around fostering, this includes your children. This will help to build a strong and supportive home for a foster child and will help to highlight and address any concerns or questions that your children might have.

Our experience has found that involving your children in the fostering decision making process can be a positive experience for everyone involved. It gives them the opportunity to be included and feel that their opinions are valued. It helps them understand that the decision to foster is not just about the new addition to the family, but about the whole family coming together to welcome a child who needs a home right now into their family. We have found that including children in discussions often gives them a sense of purpose and can also help to increase your child's empathy and understanding of the needs of others.

To sum up, fostering is a big commitment, and it's important to make sure that the whole family are totally ready for the challenges and rewards that come with it. Our advice is:

·Take your time – it’s a big life changing decision

·Do your research – knowledge is key!

·Have open and honest conversations with your partner and children.

By taking these steps, you can make an educated decision on whether fostering is right for you and your family.  

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, why not give us a call to find out more on 0800 652 6955 or take a look around out Website www.caritascare.org.uk