A Guide to Fostering with Three Circles
A lot of people don’t know exactly what fostering is about. We have an idea when we hear the word ‘fostering’ that it’s simply looking after a child who might need somewhere to stay. What people don’t know is there are different types, the roles of a foster carer and how someone goes from ‘interested in fostering’ to being approved as a foster carer. Hopefully this guide can answer a few questions for you.
What we might already think is true, fostering IS the compassionate act of offering a temporary home to children in need, providing stability and support during challenging times. Fostering can play a crucial role in the lives of children who need it most, offering them stability, love, and the opportunity to thrive in a caring environment.
*In this guide we have used some language that is widely accepted in the Social care sector that we as an agency do not use when talking to/about young people. A young person is not a ‘placement’ but you will struggle to navigate this sector without hearing these words. To make this guide as clear and comprehensive as possible, we may have used these when discussing definitions.
The Role of Foster Carers
Responsibilities
Quite rightly, fostering is a hugely important role and therefore it comes with a lot of responsibilities. Foster carers play a multifaceted role in providing essential care and support to children and young people in foster care. Responsibilities include meeting basic needs, offering emotional support, actively participating in the child's education, advocating for their rights, promoting cultural sensitivity, preparing for independence and collaborating with professionals. Foster carers create a stable and loving environment, building trust, and providing crucial guidance that significantly impacts the child's well-being and future success.
Foster carers are required to complete daily logs for the young people in their care. Daily logs are like a diary capturing the moments in a young person's life while they're in the care of their foster carer each day. They don't have to be complex or lengthy, but they do need to be filled with care and consideration, meeting the standards set out in the National Minimum Standards (NMS).
Types of Foster Care
Here are a few of the most common types of foster care.
Emergency *Placement
An emergency fostering ‘placement’ is exactly what it sounds like. It refers to the immediate and temporary care of a child who has been removed from their home or other living situation due to urgent and critical circumstances. These situations often involve concerns for the child's safety, well-being, or an emergency that requires them to be relocated swiftly. This doesn’t however mean the police will be involved or it is more ‘serious’.
Short-Term Foster Care
Short term foster care is also quite self explanatory. It is when a foster carer will provide temporary care and support to a young person for a limited period of time. This can be for various reasons, such as waiting for an assessment on the child's birth family to be completed or waiting to move to a different fostering household that could be a better long term match.
Long-Term Foster Care
Long term foster care provides a sense of permanency for a young person when it is recognized that returning to the birth family or adoption may not be feasible or in the child's best interest.
Respite Care
Fostering can have lots of challenges and is a 24/7 role. Respite care is a temporary break for foster carers. When children have respite they will go to live with another family for a short period of time.
Staying put
‘Staying put’ is a system that allows young people to remain living with their foster families after they turn 18 years old. Traditionally, when a child in foster care reaches the age of 18 they are no longer in foster care and therefore don’t receive all of the support they have previously received. Staying put aims to address the challenges faced by young people transitioning into adulthood by providing them with the option to stay with their foster families. This is not something that all foster carers can offer. For example, if there is only one spare room in the house then it could mean they are not able to foster another young person.
UASC foster care
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking child foster care is all about providing a safe and supportive home for children who arrive in a new country seeking asylum without an adult. These children may have been through a lot, and foster carers play a key role in giving them a secure place to live and the support they need while they settle into their new surroundings. It's about offering a caring environment as they navigate the challenges of seeking asylum.
Parent & Child
Parent & Child fostering is like offering a helping hand to young parents who might need a bit of extra support. In this type of foster care, the focus is on nurturing both the parent and the child. The foster carer provides a safe and caring space, offering guidance and assistance to help the parent build the skills and confidence they need to care for their child. It's all about teamwork and creating a supportive environment for the whole family.
Building Relationships
Bonding with Foster Children
Fostering is not an exact science. Something that works with one child may not work with another. Children may come into foster care for a variety of reasons and may have experienced different trauma. How you establish relationships with this child can help it be a successful ‘placement’.
Creating a Safe Environment
Establishing a safe and nurturing environment is crucial for the well-being of foster children. Providing a sense of security can help them adjust to their new surroundings.
Establishing Trust
Building trust is a gradual process. Foster carers can encourage open communication, active listening, and consistency to foster a trusting relationship with the child.
Challenges and Rewards
Behaviour
foster carers may encounter behavioural challenges as children adjust to new environments. These can be different with every young person. Patience, understanding, and consistent support are crucial in addressing these issues.
Emotions
Both foster carers and children may experience emotional struggles. Accessing support services, such as supervisions with your SSW (supervising social worker) or support groups, can be beneficial during challenging times.
Making a Positive Impact
Witnessing the positive transformation of a child's life is one of the most rewarding aspects of fostering. Knowing that you've played a role in their growth and development is incredibly fulfilling.
Personal Fulfilment
Fostering provides a unique opportunity for personal growth and fulfilment. It challenges individuals to develop empathy, resilience, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Getting Started with Fostering at Three Circles Fostering
Just as there is diversity in fostered children, foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet the needs of children and young people in foster care. There are, however, some common criteria that most fostering services require from you. Some of these are Three Circles Fostering specific:
to be at least 25 years-old (although by law you can apply to foster from 18)
to have a spare bedroom big enough for a young person to live in
to be a full-time resident in the UK or have permission to stay here
to be able to give the time to care for a child or young person, often on a full-time basis
Resources and Support at Three Circles Fostering
As we have discussed, becoming a foster carer is not without its challenges. Therefore it is important for foster carers to have access to resources and support.
Support Groups
Support groups can be an amazing resource when you are starting your fostering journey. Joining foster carer support groups offers a sense of community and understanding. Sharing experiences with others who are on a similar journey can provide valuable insights and encouragement.
Workshops and Training
Foster carers must complete a certain amount of training courses per year as part of their continued development. Participating in workshops and training sessions equips foster carers with the knowledge and skills needed to address the diverse needs of foster children. Ongoing education is key to providing quality care.
Books and Online Materials
A wealth of information is available through books and online resources. Reading materials on child development, trauma-informed care, and fostering techniques can enhance a foster carer's understanding and approach.
Events
At Three Circles, we organise numerous in-person and online events throughout the year for our young people and families. This year, our in-person activities include visits to a trampoline park, a farm, and challenging ourselves on an adventure trail, among other exciting experiences. We extend invitations to every foster carer and every member of the household to join us at each event.
NT&AS
We are proud that every single of our young people has the support of their own NT&AS teacher who overlooks and supports them through their education. They will also attend any meetings to do with the child's education (PEP meetings). It is not always necessary for every young person to have direct involvement but when it is, it is amazing that we have NT&AS teachers at our disposal.
Outstanding team - OFSTED
Three Circles Fostering is an Outstanding agency. We are so proud of our amazing foster carers, staff and young people who all contributed to this incredible achievement. As an agency, our primary focus will always be to make decisions based on what is best for the child. It makes us so happy that Ofsted recognise this and have given us this great ‘stamp’ of approval.
Next steps
Our Next steps group is our trusty council of care leavers. We consult with them regularly to get their expertise when we’re working on projects for our young people in care. It is so important to talk to people with lived experience so we can produce the best resources & support possible.
Catalyst
Catalyst is an incredible group of young people in care and children who foster. They meet once every half term to work on different ideas that can promote positive change in young people's lives.
Wishes & Feelings
To ensure we capture the voices and opinions of children effectively, we engage in regular consultations with them, providing lots of opportunities for them to express themselves. If they express discontent with something, we proactively address the issue by initiating a conversation to discuss why a change might not be feasible or implementing the change when possible.
Clinical supervision
Three Circles offers all of its foster carers access to clinical supervision.
Supervising social workers
We have an excellent social work team who are there to support you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Your supervising social worker will be there from the moment you are approved as a Three Circles carer and will help with anything that may come up along the way.
By now you hopefully understand a bit more about Fostering and the foster care system. If you want to join us then have a look at the 7 steps it takes to join us below!
Joining Three Circles Fostering
Step 1 - Get in Touch
Initiating the process begins with reaching out to us. This can be done through a phone call, email, or an online inquiry form. Once you express your interest, the agency will guide you through the initial steps including arranging an initial visit.
Step 2 - Initial Visit
The initial visit is a crucial phase where we first visit your home. This meeting serves as an introduction, allowing the agency to understand your living environment and assess its suitability for fostering. It's also an opportunity for you and your family to ask questions and gain insights into the fostering process.
Step 3 - Application Form
After your initial visit, you'll be required to fill out an application form. This form is a formal document that marks the beginning of your assessment. During this stage, some initial checks will be conducted to ensure there are no concerns that might affect your suitability as a foster carer. This can include police and medical checks, as well as personal references.
Step 4 - Fostering Course ('Skills to Foster')
Once your application is accepted, you will embark on a training course known as 'Skills to Foster.' This comprehensive program equips prospective foster carers with the essential knowledge and skills needed for a successful fostering journey. The course covers a range of topics, including child development, trauma-informed care, and effective communication.
Step 5 - Panel
Following the completion of the fostering course, your assessment will be presented to a fostering panel. This panel typically consists of experienced professionals, including social workers, who will carefully review your assessment and make a recommendation regarding your suitability as a foster carer. This step is crucial in ensuring that potential foster carers meet the necessary standards and are well-prepared for the responsibilities ahead.
Step 6 - Assessment
A social worker will be assigned to work closely with you to complete your fostering assessment. This involves regular visits to your home to get to know you and assess your suitability to foster. The social worker will engage in open conversations to understand your motivations, strengths, and any areas that may require additional support. All information gathered during the assessment will be shared with you, fostering transparency and collaboration.
Step 7 - Approval
Upon successful completion of the assessment and a positive recommendation from the panel, you will receive official approval to become a foster carer. This marks the beginning of your journey as a foster carer, opening the door to the prospect of welcoming a child into your home.
Supervision and Support
After approval, you will be allocated a supervising social worker who will play a crucial role in supporting and guiding you throughout your fostering experience. This professional will assist you in preparing for a child to come and stay with you, ensuring you are well-prepared for the rewarding and challenging aspects of fostering. They will stay with you throughout your time as a foster carer.
If our mission to create a nurturing environment for looked after children resonates with you, we invite you to consider becoming a foster carer with Three Circles Fostering. Your decision to open your heart and home can make a lasting impact on a child's life, offering them the stability and support they need to thrive. By joining our fostering community, you become an essential part of the journey toward brighter futures for these remarkable young individuals. To learn more about fostering with Three Circles and how you can make a difference, feel free to reach out and inquire. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to flourish.