Paula and Dave permanently foster siblings

Paula, 54 and Dave, 53 are a married couple from Warrington. They have been foster carers for 5 years with Warrington Borough Council.

Why did you become a foster carer and what attracted you to being a foster carer for Warrington Borough Council?

“Hi, my name’s Paula and I’ve worked with children since 1998, when my youngest child Aaron was born as a self-employed childminder. I did this for 18 years and loved every second, and made some wonderful memories with the children and families, I cared for over the years. I love a full house. My older birth children had flown the nest and our home became much quieter once I finished work in the evenings.

“We wanted to make a difference and this led us to fostering after talking to my brother Brian, and his wife Denise as they also foster. I always set my heart on siblings and long term placements. We didn’t feel short term was for us as a family. It’s not all been plain sailing. At times it’s been hard for ourselves, and the children adapting to our new life. We are now 5 years in and we are very proud of our achievements. We are also extremely proud of the children, they have achieved so much and settled really well.”

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

“I gave up my job as a childminder I felt this would work best for the children. My husband also became a full time carer within the first year due to the children being complex, this worked for ourselves and the children. We have five birth children between us and seven grandchildren. We like to do days out with Mockingbird and we also enjoy family time with the children’s birth family.”

Please share what it is like to foster siblings?

“We have two children, they are a family of four siblings. The two children get along well with each other. They have their moments, just like my birth children.”

What are the pros and cons of permanent/long term fostering?

“We were matched to our children in April 2021. This settled the children knowing they wouldn’t be moved, and would be with us until eighteen. One of our children struggles with the meetings and says he gets tired of being asked the same things over and over sadly we are not in a position at the moment to be able to change this due to personal commitments, and we wish to stay in fostering for future support for the children.”

We would love to encourage more people aged 50+ to foster. Can you share any advice or thoughts if you are 50+. How has fostering changed your life? Pros and cons? Any regrets? What have been the highlights?

“We were 49 when we became foster carers. I felt this was a perfect age as my birth children were older and we felt we could give the children more of our time. They get along great with our grandchildren. I was once asked by my mentee, do I have any regrets? Our reply was it hasn’t been easy but seeing how far our children have come, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

How do you find the support we give you? Do you have close relationships with other foster carers?

“We have made some lovely friends in the time we’ve been fostering within Mockingbird and outside. We also have had great support when needed from our Supervising Social Worker, Child’s Social Worker and other professionals.”

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.