At Fosterplus, we know the importance of a good match. That’s why our dedicated referrals team works hard to make sure that we’ve matched children with foster parents who are the best fit for them. A good match can be the difference these children need for positive outcomes, allowing them to build brighter futures for themselves.
We’re taking a look at some real-life successful foster care stories so that you can see for yourself how matching really makes a difference. Fostering can be a hard job at times, but seeing how you actively change lives makes this one of the most rewarding vocations you can do.
Each of these positive fostering experiences was made possible because of the great care we take in the matching process. You can find more stories about fostering teenagers and other case studies on our blog.
Erin’s Story
Erin found her foster family through Fosterplus and has become part of the family since she was first matched with them.
She said, “The day I moved in, Mum had got me a little pink cake covered in butterflies that said, ‘Welcome to the Family’ on it. I’ve still got the picture of me holding it. I started calling her my Mum, unprompted, very soon after I first moved in. To me, Mum has always been my Mum, and I’ll always be her child.”
The support and care that Erin’s Mum and family have shown her has given her the loving home that she deserves. Even though Erin is now in university, she still comes home to spend weekends with her family as part of a ‘Staying Put’ arrangement, which sees children staying with their foster families after 18 years of age to help them adjust to independence.
She said: “My foster family are my family, and the ‘Staying Put’ arrangement has given me the best of both worlds.”
Aki’s Story
Aki came to the UK seeking asylum from his native country of Eritrea, where children as young as 15 and 16 are at risk of being conscripted into military service. Even though this is only meant to be for 18 months, many find themselves forced to remain in their roles indefinitely.
He said, “You can be shot or put in prison for trying to leave the country, so many people risk their lives to leave Eritrea. I had to leave my parents behind, which was heartbreaking. I was able to first enter Ethiopia by bus, where my sister was able to support me to get a plane ticket to get to the UK.”
After seeking asylum in the UK, Aki was matched with Helen and Alan. Helen is also Eritrean, and the couple have fostered several Eritrean children throughout the years. Cultural matching is an important element in foster care, especially for children seeking sanctuary.
“Whenever I’ve needed help, they’ve been there for me.”
Aki said, “Everything with Helen and Alan has been perfect – they are a really loving and welcoming couple. We have been together for four years now. Being able to join their family has been a perfect match for me. It’s been really nice to have that shared culture with Helen, who can speak my home language, Tigrinya, with me, and to learn so much from Alan, who has helped me to improve my English and learn more about life in the UK.”
“My foster sister is only nine, and she treats me like her best friend in the world. When we go to pick her up from school as a family, I’m always the one she runs to first. Being able to stay with Helen and Alan – even though I’m 18 now – through the ‘Staying Put’ arrangement means a lot to me. We’ll always have that special bond between the four of us. Whenever I’ve needed help, they’ve been there for me.”
Aki is looking forward to the positive opportunities here in the UK. He said,
“I’m currently at college studying my Maths and English GCSEs, as well as taking a course in carpentry and joinery. I’ll be moving on to an apprenticeship soon and I’ve just passed my driving theory test and having practical lessons, so there’s a busy year ahead. In my free time I’ve got lots of hobbies, like going to the gym and going out cycling with my friends.”
Adam’s Story
Adam found his foster parents through Fosterplus at the age of 12, and has said that he didn’t feel like he’d known a good home until he was with them. Now at the age of 18, Adam’s foster parents are helping him transition to independence.
Adam said, “It was just about me not finding the right ones. I just didn’t trust people. This placement is the best one. In this family, I don’t have to keep my guard up, and I can let my walls down. I call my foster carers Mum and Dad because they were the people that taught me how to let my guard down, and they made me feel quite safe, that I didn’t have to be nervous or cautious around them.”
“I started calling them Mum and Dad about two years ago. It just sort of slipped out, and then I just kept saying it, because it feels natural and comfortable to call them that.”
Currently studying construction in college, Adam also has a job and enjoys playing guitar and socialising with his friends in his spare time.
Adam said, “I was well matched with my foster parents. I needed someone with a strong will who could help support me. I believe I was incredibly lucky to be matched with my parents.”
How does the right pairing change lives?
Children may have entered foster care for a variety of reasons. No matter why they came into care, every child deserves a loving home where they can feel safe and secure.
Here at Fosterplus, we believe that the right match can change lives for the better, no matter the length of time a foster child stays with a foster parent. Whether that’s short-term, long-term, respite foster care, or through staying put foster placements.
Offering a child a loving home with the right foster parents can:
- Give them the confidence they need to build a brighter future, as well as the resilience they’ll need through life to bounce back from challenges.
- Ensure that they complete full-time education and can focus on being a child.
- Mean that a sibling group gets to stay together, reducing the trauma that they might experience from being removed from everything they know. Siblings who are able to stay together are more likely to have positive outcomes in life than if they were separated into different foster homes.
- Give them the life skills that they need to thrive in the world when it comes time to leave foster care.
- Help them to develop a sense of belonging, no matter the length of time they stay with their foster parents. Most children often stay in contact with their carers well into adulthood.
Choosing to foster with Fosterplus not only means you can make a difference in a child’s life, but you’ll also have our full support behind you so that you can do an amazing job. Some of the benefits to fostering with us include:
- Generous fostering payments
- Access to a 24/7 helpline
- A dedicated supervising social worker
- Training and development tailored to your needs and interests
- Events for all the family
- Rewards and discounts via our Exchange platform
Are you ready to start your fostering journey?
Could you be the right match for a child in need of a loving home?
If you’re curious to know more about becoming a foster carer with Fosterplus and all the support that we offer our foster parents, get in touch with us to find out more. Simply fill out an enquiry form or give us a ring on 0800 369 8512 to speak to one of our friendly advisors who can talk to you about fostering in more detail.
