Nexus Fostering calls upon residents to open their hearts and homes to children and young people who urgently need to find a foster family.
Foster Carers Bobbie and Daniel’s inspiring fostering journey explains how they have advocated for their child at the highest possible level. Bobbie believes a ‘foster carer should be a keen advocate, who can keep calm in stressful situations, always puts their child first, and keeps a good working relationship with all the professional bodies involved’. Having fostered with Nexus Fostering for five years, the couple continues to provide positive outcomes for children and young people.
Bobbie had worked in childcare for over twenty years as a Registered nanny and childminder. As her birth sons, 21 and 32, had become adults and one went to University, Bobbie explained, ‘We had talked as a family and made a combined decision that this could work for us. We felt it was a golden opportunity to foster’.
After speaking to a few fostering agencies, Bobbie and Daniel felt Nexus Fostering was the right agency for them. They explained, ‘It had more of a family feel to it. I felt we could be part of that process.’
Bobbie explains the highs and lows of their journey so far. ‘The highs are the children’s achievements – being able to advocate successfully and giving them the best possible opportunities. Our foster child loves the family and has performed amazingly in education. We still have challenges, but these are approached with love and care’.
The couple share ‘make everything as transparent as possible; trust with a foster child is key. Managing expectations is important – your foster child isn’t necessarily going to respond to the same parenting techniques that you had with your birth children. Nexus Fostering therapeutic support has been vital for us, another reason we chose them.
Bobbie has a wealth of knowledge and gives the following advice to anyone who is considering becoming a foster carer;
‘Make sure you are proactive; ask if you need clarification if you need to. It’s important to advocate for your foster children; questioning actions is part of your responsibility. Remember, don’t take things personally; fostering can be challenging, but it is never about you, and it is also great to have a good sense of humour along the way. Remember that you are integral to a child’s life journey, which changes constantly. Fostering can be for many children in a household or just one, but know that you will change a life positively forever.
Children from 0-18 are looking for foster homes and would need an adult around to support them day to day. Nexus Fostering welcomes individuals of all ages, genders, religions, and ethnicities to apply. We value diversity and are looking for people who genuinely want to make a difference in a child’s life.
To help create positive outcomes for children and young people, contact Nexus Fostering for an informal chat by visiting www.nexusfostering.co.uk or calling 01223 903 503.
