It’s tough out there right now.
We recently received an enquiry for a foster parent looking to transfer from a competing fostering provider. They were keen to join an authentic therapeutic provider but were also impressed by our social media campaigns – stating it’s ‘amazing because it’s true- fostering isn’t easy!’
In a world where social media can give a distorted view of ‘real life’ it’s not unsurprising that other fostering providers are pretending fostering is a walk in the park.
It’s clear to see why fostering providers suggest it is ‘easy’, that all it takes is a spare bedroom and love in your heart, because the entire country is in desperate need of foster parents., and the number of Children and Young people needing a safe, stable home is increasing.
Yet more foster parents are leaving the sector than joining.
And is it really any surprise? New prospective foster parents joining on the pretence that it is ‘easy’, but when they get to it, they find it is anything but easy.
That’s why honesty is integral to evolve.
Yes, the need for foster parents is huge, but we are interested in the right parents. If that means, turning an applicant away, or ending a fostering assessment, then that’s what we’ll do.
At the end of the day, we need to be as certain as we can be that this partnership, between evolve and our foster parents, is one that will work in the long term, and is in the best interest of our Children and Young People.
We’re looking for people who will work with us, respond to our therapeutic training, challenge and critique us, put in the hard work and develop with us.
There is no time for false promises, on either side, as we need action now.
By being straight with those applying to foster from the outset, we are setting them up for success, not failure. If we are honest about some of the complexities that our children and young people building a stronger understanding from the outset, which to ensure successful fostering arrangements.
If we pretend everything is going to be fine and easy from the beginning, all it will do is to serve as a stress for the foster parent, more triggers for the children and an eventual breakdown. The child or young person would have been failed again.
We must take every opportunity we can to change that, even if it means growing our service at a slower rate, with likeminded people.
The needs of the child, and foster parent, is at the thinking behind every decision we make. That’s why we’re honest with any applicant looking to join our service.
Fostering isn’t easy. It takes a certain kind of person to become a foster parent, and that’s so much more than others would have you believe, but there’s also so much more opportunity than you would think.
