What to Expect When You Become a Foster Carer

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most loving and rewarding decisions. Thousands of children are in need of caring, welcoming, supportive and stable homes right now, and foster care is an excellent option. Many people considering foster care are doing so for the first time, and if you are doing the same, chances are you do not know what to expect.

Reading up on foster caring beforehand can help, so we have compiled a list of things you can expect if you are fostering for the first time.

A New Purpose

Fostering is so rewarding because foster carers provide foster children with the love and stability they have not had in their lives. Foster carers also have a chance to change the life of a foster child who might not have had many opportunities otherwise.

The emotional and physical growth foster children experience is also very rewarding as foster carers know that these changes will lead to foster children having better and more fulfilling lives.

Lastly, foster carers know they are helping foster children create an excellent foundation for future relationships by demonstrating what a loving and caring relationship looks like.

A Lot of Support

The foster carer community is one of the most loving and caring communities you can find. It comprises welfare officers, social groups, and other carers who are always open to giving other foster carers the support, advice and guidance they need. The support you receive will ensure you never feel alone in this fulfilling journey, and you can learn new ways to ensure your foster children have the home they deserve.

Foster carers also receive an allowance that covers the cost of caring for a foster child or young person. The allowance allows foster carers to dedicate their time to caring for and fulfilling the needs of children under their care. You can learn more about the fostering allowance at orangegrovefostercare.co.uk, where you can also learn about its tax implications and everything else you need to know.

A Change in Your Routines

Every person has routines that they follow in life to get things done. That could be waking up at a particular time or running errands at a specific time.

Some of your routines will change once you have foster children under your care. These changes will typically be to cater to their needs, such as helping them prepare for school in the morning or finding time to spend with them.

The latter is especially important so they can feel loved, understood and heard if you take the time to talk and listen to them when you spend time together.

Liaison with the Birth Families

A major aim of foster care is to facilitate positive contact with birth parents and children where possible and return foster children to their birth families once their parents can provide what they need and meet their needs. It is important to note that whether a child returns home to birth family sits with the local authority.

Anyone who is able to should aim to become a foster carer as many kids need stable, loving and welcoming homes right now. Before you do, you need to know what to expect so you are better prepared for the experience.