“John and I both work full time,” says foster carer Julie

Julie, 52 and John, 51 are a married couple from Warrington. They have been fostering with Warrington Borough Council for just over 2 years.

Why did you become a foster carer? 

“I used to be a youth worker many years ago and worked with children in care in my youth club so always wanted to be a foster carer. John felt we as a family had a lot to offer a child, with positive role models, a lovely environment and a strong supportive network.”

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?

“John and I both work full time and we’ve been lucky to have supportive managers – although this hasn’t always been the case, but we’ve managed to juggle A LOT and get a lot of help from friends, family and neighbours. We have two birth children – Lois who is now 20 and Ben who is just 18.”

How many children have you fostered and what types of fostering have you done?

“Because we’ve both worked full time in senior positions we could only offer respite or emergency care. We have had one respite for two weeks – an 8 year old boy and an emergency 8 year old boy which stretched to 9 weeks during the pandemic – quite challenging, but rewarding and great experience. We then had a teenage girl who couldn’t settle with us so only lasted a few days. In February last year we had an emergency placement of a 13 year old girl. She fits into our family like a glove and is about to be placed on a permanent order with us which we are all thrilled about.”

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of becoming a foster carer or starting the process?

“Go for it and don’t be put off by horror stories from other people. It helps to have a sense of humour! Make sure everyone in the family sings from the same hymn sheet and if possible try and keep any birth children involved in the process. The process can seem long but does give a very good insight into what is expected. It can also be quite an emotional process.”

What have been the positives of fostering?

“Well, it’s obviously very rewarding but for us, we are so proud of our birth children – it’s been difficult for them at times but they have proven to be extremely important when settling a child into our family – they have been wonderful role models and we only just realised!”

What have been the challenges?

“It’s not realistic to believe you will suit all children. We all have our different personalities and we have to accept sometimes it just won’t work, but on the other hand, luckily sometimes it does.”

What changes have you seen in the children you have fostered?

“Huge changes. Confidence, pride in their appearance, basic socials skills like using knives and forks, eating a variety of food, enjoying learning, being able to express themselves in a positive way without being so angry.”

What small things have made a big impact?

“We have always set our stall from the beginning. We are clear that our role is to keep the child in our care safe that’s number 1. We ask in turn that they show respect to the people in our home, the house in general and are kind to the pets.”

What have been your best memories so far?

“Singing in the car with both of the boys that were in our care. Singing was key to our communication with both. Laughing at each other, with each other and nobody taking offence of being embarrassed. We’ve just come back from a big family holiday and our birth daughter and foster child shared a room and we were so relieved that they bonded and learned so much about each other. They’re like sisters now.”

What impact has fostering had on your family?

“It’s made us united. We are all very protective of our foster child. John and I wish we had fostered before having our own two because we’ve learned so many valuable parenting skills and when you first have children there’s no manual – but for fostering there is – it should be made available to all parents and carers.”

How do you find the support we give you?

“We couldn’t have managed without our supervising social workers Louise & Lauren, we trust them and they trust us, they always respond to our needs. Every other foster carer and family time worker we’ve worked with have been genuinely nice, helpful people.”

Do you have any pets? How do they help the children you foster?

“We have 3 dogs, 3 cats and 5 hens. They are critical for the introduction of a child in care to our home, they create a comfort blanket and safety barrier for the child whilst they familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and us.”

How does the child you are fostering describe you?

“She says we are funny and crazy, not strict and she has nothing horrible to say – which is a good job really!”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, you can request an Information Pack by clicking here >>

Alternatively, why not pop along to one of our Information Sessions? We have in-person Information Sessions and virtual Information Sessions.