FAMILY
Proud to Foster
Hi, I’m Nick - a 31-year-old, single, same sex, mixed race man and I’m #ProudToFoster.
As part of the annual Foster Care Fortnight campaign this May, which showcases the commitment and dedication of foster carers around the country, we met inspirational Rotherham Foster Plus carer, Nick, to hear about the remarkable work he’s done so far along his fostering journey.
Having worked as a family mental health practitioner for five years, both in schools and the community, Nick knew that children in the care system needed extra support and felt he had the skills and experience to help Rotherham’s looked-after children.
“I’d thought about it for a while and originally looked at adoption before deciding to concentrate on my career by going to university to study social work,” Nick says.
In his role, Nick worked to keep families together by overcoming challenging behaviour, dealing with mental health issues and sorting contributing problems such as finances and housing. But he was
made redundant last year which gave him the push to contact the Rotherham Fostering team.
Following a simple and straight forward process whereby the team got to know Nick and understand his personal situation, he was approved as a Foster Plus carer in November and was matched with a child - a 10-year-old boy - straight away.
“He was placed with me just a day before my birthday which was the perfect present after waiting six months to be approved.
“While I was waiting for my foster child to move in, I had further enquiries to help other children in the local area which
I unfortunately couldn’t take on. But this just highlights the urgency for more foster carers needed in Rotherham.”
However, due to his experience working therapeutically and with teenagers, social workers suggested Nick would be best suited as a Foster Plus carer which is a full-time role.
“The changes and achievements he’s had already are so rewarding.”
Nick originally planned to continue working while fostering by taking on school-age placements. He’d always known he wanted to help older kids as he felt they were often overlooked compared to the sought-after babies and younger children.
Foster Plus carers are allocated children aged 11-17 who are less likely to be placed in the local area and have more complex needs and ingrained behaviours, dealing with things like attachment difficulties, self-harm or sexual exploitation.
“At first, he was very quiet and towed the line. It was ‘yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir.’ But then he began to settle in and started to find himself. I gave him choices which he struggled with as it appeared like it was brand new world for him.”
As natural with most pre- pubescent kids, the boy began to test Nick’s boundaries and
Thank you to all of our foster carers for their continued support in transforming lives
Celebrate with us this Foster Care Fortnight - 14th-27th May Interested in becoming a Rotherham foster carer?
Take the first step at one of our drop in information sessions and speak to the fostering team and hear more inspirational stories Rotherham Hospital
Rotherham Town Hall
Wednesday 16th May 9.30am-1.30pm
Thursdays 17th May 10am-12noon and 21st June 4.30-6.30pm
Website:
www.rotherham.gov.uk/fostering Facebook: Fostering in Rotherham
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aroundtownmagazine.co.uk Wath Tesco Store in the foyer
Wednesday 23rd May 9.30am-1.00pm
Twitter: @fosterrotherham Telephone: 01709 823976
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