A little support goes a long way

As summer rolls in and schools let out, many families are gearing up for holidays, lazy days and ice cream runs. But for many foster carers, summer can be a mixed bag of excitement and challenge.

In the delightful chaos of school holidays, the role of a foster carer can feel like a juggling act – especially when it comes to managing daily tasks like travel, homework, and keeping connections with birth parents. That’s where the magic of support networks comes in!

Having a solid support network is like having a dedicated pit crew in a high-stakes race. Whether it’s friends, family, local community programs or their fostering peers, these connections help ease the load on foster carers.

<strong>We spoke to Ralph, a foster carer from Halton. Ralph and his wife Jenny usually care for parent and babies, but have recently decided to look after a baby boy as an emergency. When asked about their support network, Ralph told us…</strong>

“<em>We know what formal support is available should we ever need it, and it’s really good. But we really value the support from our own family and their children, at times it feels like a crèche in our house but it can free us up to get other jobs done when others step in and give us a helping hand – even if we just take the time to have a shower or pop out to the shops</em>”

Support networks provide tangible help with day-to-day tasks. Need someone to take the kids on a fun outing? Local friends and family can step in. Homework? Maybe there’s a neighbor who thrives on maths and can lend a hand. And let’s not forget contact visit with birth parents; having a supportive peer can make a world of difference in managing emotions and logistics – especially if it’s a fellow foster carer who has been through something similar. It’s these moments of teamwork and camaraderie that allow foster carers to recharge, so they can provide the best environment for the children in their care.

<strong>What other type of support is available?</strong>

Support can take in many shapes when it comes to fostering, one of the most successful examples of this has been the roll out of our Mockingbird Constellations. Watch the video below to find out more about what Mockingbird is;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;