Fostering as my “second” career

Local emergency service worker Mark Casey took a break from his busy routine to talk about his 11 years of fostering whilst working for Greater Manchester Police.

Mark and his wife Caroline started fostering after a friend fondly reminisced about the children she fostered.   Both Caroline and Mark were from big families and it was Mark who first considered fostering and made the phone call to Stockport Council’s fostering team.   They are now foster carers for Stockport Council (an outstanding fostering service) and have fostered 13 children ranging from toddlers to teenager who they have welcomed into their home.  They are currently long term foster carers for a young boy with additional needs and have a teenage girl in placement.  They recently provided a 2-week respite placement for a 16 year old Syrian boy – he had never seen the sea and loved it !!

Mark recalls “ I deal with lots of missing from home reports and enquiries into missing children and work with local teenagers ; safeguarding these vulnerable children at risk of CSE.  Working with problem families;  seeing how some of our children live, made me realise that someone has to fight for these kids to make sure they get a good chance in life…fostering gives me the chance to give these children a taste of family life and help them turn their lives around.”

“For me fostering is seeing the progress of the children in every way;  academically such as daily routine of school and helping  them with their homework; their wellbeing and taking a pride in their appearance - it is priceless what we gain for being able to offer this to the children.”

“I can recall how I inspired one of my placements by helping our young foster child to gain a 2-day a week hairdressing apprenticeship at Stockport College; she is now working full time in a local hairdressing salon.  On the theme of hair cuts… I recently visited a local children’s home - there was this big lad who would not go to school, why?  Because of his hair! I took him for a haircut and he now goes to school – both my jobs are so rewarding”

Our current teenager is a joy to foster, we know that often people are anxious about the thought of having a teenager join their household but…teenagers have their own hobbies, they travel on public transport (no need to taxi around), are independent and want their own space which means that we can have our space too”

The skills you develop in the workplace do overlap, into your home life.  GMP have been very supportive of my fostering career which I combine with my shift pattern.  Being a foster carer you need flexibility in your job as you go to meetings and attend regular professional training and there is always 24/7 support from your own social worker.

Stockport’s training courses are very useful in my current role; my current fostering portfolio includes certificates on internet safety (ie privacy settings) and  other courses which are  transferrable, such as the 3-yearly safeguarding course.  I also have the opportunity to study for a NVQ or Diploma in Childcare.  As part of my own professional development I have gained confidence in both my roles – I now speak at information evenings to people who are considering taking the first step to become a foster carer.

Most of the children we fostered came with challenges; they had experienced a difficult start in life but we are proud that we are able to provide individual care and a supportive family life to these children.  We are passionate about making a real difference to the children, believing in their potential and acting as a role model for them so they can achieve a sense of worth and wellbeing.

I always get asked… do you get paid for fostering?  Yes all foster carers receive a weekly fostering allowance for every child they foster.  In addition, allowances are paid for holidays, clothing and equipment for the children and the service runs a “specialist scheme” which offers a professional fee of £30,000 pa to provide a dedicated fostering placement to a child with additional needs.

In Stockport there is a shortage of foster carers who can foster teenagers, I would urge anyone interested in finding out more about the types of fostering schemes available to contact Stockport’s fostering service on 0161 474 3400 or visit their website www.stockport.gov.uk/fostering.