Avril attended our latest Skills to Foster Training course as a single carer. After completing the course she chose to continue working towards becoming a foster carer, and is now nearing the end of her assessment. In her own words, Avril tells us how she found the course…
I attended the training groups at the start of this year as a lone carer with 3 other couples, we completed the sessions online with other attendees and the training facilitators from the Family Placement Team. I was apprehensive about being the only single person, but this was soon alleviated by the Family Placement Team and the other attendees.
The training was a good mix of films, discussion, sharing views and hearing from the FPT and guest speakers. It was intense at times but I always felt that my wellbeing was supported by the FPT. It brought several emotions to the forefront; at times sadness and disbelief, at other times I felt happy and proud to be on this journey.
The team were passionate about the benefits that good Foster Carers can bring to a child or young person, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from Professionals, experienced Foster Carers, and their families. I was surprised about how much of my own life experiences helped me understand the training and felt that the training only increased my belief that I could do this.
What really made me want to make a difference was hearing from young people who had been in the care system which had not always been a positive experience. I want to make a difference, however small in that young person’s life.
I want to say to anyone considering becoming a Foster Carer whether single or a couple, go for it. I am nearing the end of my assessment and looking forward to my upcoming Panel date and beginning my journey as a Foster Carer. I know it will be hard at times and there will be times when I doubt myself, but I also know I have the support of my allocated Social Worker, who I respect immensely, she is so supportive, understanding and never judgmental and the wider FPT and other professionals.
If you’re thinking of fostering, now is the perfect time to get in touch and start the process.
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