Cambridgeshire is currently seeing a shortage of foster carers, and Cambridgeshire County Council is appealing for residents to come forward to help reduce the numbers of children waiting for homes. Here’s Jason, one of our newer foster carers, who shared his experience of fostering with Cambridgeshire County Council.
Why did you choose to foster with Cambridgeshire County Council?
We had looked into fostering agencies, but ultimately, we chose the council because of their empathetic approach, which appealed strongly to me and my wife Emma, who has a background in baby care.
Can you describe your journey to becoming a foster carer?
The first thing was meeting the training team. Their knowledge, skills and approach helped reassure us that we were on the right path. After that, we met Ellie, our fostering assessor, who was brilliant. The meeting with Ellie formed an essential part of our learning and helped us to understand the fostering process as well as confirming our decision to foster. The CCC staff were always on hand to answer any questions we had, which we found very helpful.
How did you feel being welcomed at the new carer event? What it was like meeting the fostering team and other new carers?
It was amazing to see how far we had come on our journey, and it was lovely to see the team and support network in one place. The team are so helpful and understanding of the challenges involved with fostering. It was also very helpful to meet with other new foster carers to talk about our training and support and the day-to-day journey.
How do you feel about supporting upcoming recruitment events?
I’d be happy to support upcoming events. It’s important to have friendly, approachable people who can share their fostering journey first hand, and chat to others who may be thinking about fostering, so that they can discuss any concerns they may have. It could help them take the next step to becoming a foster carer themselves.
What would you say to encourage others to consider fostering with the council?
The whole team has been amazing. You are never on your own, the support network is outstanding, and we are supported more than we imagined. The training has been brilliant, and you feel everyone is genuinely in it to help children.
Can you share a memorable moment that shows the difference that fostering can make to a child's life?
Seeing the older sibling sit with the younger one and say ‘I love you’ while playing together.
What’s been the best aspect about fostering for you?
Being able to use the therapeutic tools and training that we’ve been given and seeing the children laugh, play and hug each other – that’s been one of the most rewarding and heartwarming moments. These are the moments we all live for, helping to improve the future for these children that depend upon us, and being able to give them a calm, safe space. We can’t imagine anything else we’d rather be doing.
Chair of the Children and Young People’s committee, Councillor Edna Murphy said: “It’s wonderful to hear such positive experiences of foster caring like Jason’s, and I’m so glad to hear that he was able to advise potential new foster carers at the Foster Care Fortnight.
“Being a foster carer for the council is one of the most rewarding roles anyone can take on, and our foster carers make a difference every day, by offering children and young people a safe, stable and loving home.
“I would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to take that first step – your support could change the life of a child, and you’ll have the full support of our dedicated team throughout.”
