To find out what fostering a child can entail and how rewarding it can be, we have spoken to some foster carers to find out about their experiences.

Lisa Sutton

"I feel that fostering is probably the most rewarding and satisfying professions available for an individual and a family.

"Fostering involves lots of team work, starting with the main carer, involving your partner and birth children right through to a wide range of other professionals supporting the child. My family and I have been fostering for eleven years and during that time we have looked after thirteen children and have offered respite for other carers, short term fostering moving into adoption or onto independence and offering a long term placement.

"Our first placement was a fourteen year old unaccompanied minor whom is still very much part of our family.

"We then went on to look after a sibling group of four young children all under the age of five. Three of the siblings were adopted and one remained with us long term.

"All of the children/young people we have looked after have presented us with different issues and challenges.

"The support and training you receive is extremely important. We have a fantastic supervising social worker who visits regularly and is available at other times by phone or email. Support is 24/7.

"My reason for becoming and remaining a foster carer is the huge difference we can make and have made, to a child’s life. Every child has the right to feel safe, enjoy life and achieve good things. I as the main carer and we as a foster family feel we have helped and supported children to achieve amazing outcomes"

Sue and Michael

Sue and Michael have been fostering for nearly 2 years and have had a 14 year old female placed with them for nearly a year and a half.

Originally the young girl was only placed on respite but with the help of a lawyer, she fought for her right to stay with Sue and Michael and the family she feels happy and safe with.

They both enjoy fostering and are proud to be able to offer a safe, family environment for young people who have often had a difficult start in life.

They receive regular support and supervision from their fostering social worker and their children are attendees at the activity based support group for the sons and daughters of foster carers.

Kate and Bill

Kate and Bill have looked after children for as long as they can remember and currently have a 9 year old boy with autism placed long term and a mother and her baby on an assessment placement.

Their home is lively, warm and welcoming. Kate and Bill cannot imagine not having a home full of young people and have regular contact with the other young people they previously looked after.