We have foster carers who are single, married or living together, so yes you can foster with us if you are single
Read more from Beth who is a single parent who fosters
Being a single foster carer
I have been a foster carer for 8 years being 27 when I was approved. I chose local authority fostering because family members were fostering with the local authority as I didn’t realise any IFA’s existed at that point.
It’s fostering to suit you
I am currently a long-term foster carer and also help out sometimes with day care when needed. I started off as a short-term foster carer, made the change when a little one was a good match for my family.
How long does the process take?
From the time I sent an email enquiring to being approved it was 10 months. The longest wait in that was waiting for a panel date. I had already been told by family members the assessing process can be quite invasive and there are lots of questions asked. I felt although it seems to take a long time when you just want to get started, it was good to reflect with my daughter and think about if it was the right decision.
The sometimes challenging times
That is one of the difficulties in being a foster carer for me are saying goodbye when I have moved children on for adoption. My eldest was 8 years old when we started fostering. She found saying goodbye for adoption quite difficult, it is one of the reasons why now I’m doing long term. My youngest was born after the long-term child had been here for 2 years. She just thinks of her as an older sister.
Fostering alongside your own children
As a single carer with my own 2 children, it can also be challenging trying to juggle all the after-school clubs. My supervising social worker is always at the end of the phone or an email when I have needed advice. I attend support groups put on by the local authority to meet other foster carers,
“I have found great support in others who understand”
support and rewards and positives for me are I am lucky enough to have stayed in contact with the families of the children I have moved on for adoption. I get sent pictures and updates and it’s wonderful to see how much they have grown. I feel proud knowing I had an important part in that child’s life.
Take on the advice of the supervising social worker on what type of fostering they think would suit your family the best. If you get the opportunity, then speak to other foster carers who have a similar family dynamic to you.
Get in touch with us today to find out more
We’re Foster Wales Neath Port Talbot, part of the national network of 22 Welsh Local Authority fostering services. Our aim is to build better futures for children within our community.
If you live in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
