Each October The Fostering Network run a campaign focusing on the Children of Foster Carers. Coinciding with this, Megan, the daughter of foster carers Sarah and Richard has won a Fostering Excellence Award – the most prestigious fostering awards held annually.
Children of foster carers are such an integral part of a foster child’s journey, and often they can be the key component in settling a new child in. But it’s important to remember the challenges they may face when welcoming new children into their home.
Sharing their home, sharing their parent(s), even sharing their toys.
However again and again, these children show as much commitment and dedication as their parents do in building a better life for other children that need it most. And more often than not, feeling a sense of reward in knowing that they’re doing something good for someone else.
From all of us, we would like to say thank you.
Thank you for your openness.
Thank you for extending your love.
Thank you for welcoming your foster siblings into your home.
What you do is valued and appreciated probably more than you will ever know.
Megan, daughter of foster carers, wins a fostering excellence award
One particular daughter of foster carers, Megan, has won a prestigious Fostering Excellence Award.
The annual Fostering Excellence Awards are the UK’s most prestigious foster care awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in fostering and recognise those who make exceptional contributions to foster care every day.
She was nominated by supervising social worker Sarah, who said:
“Megan has been a pillar of support to her family since they started fostering in 2008. Her mum has been unwell, spending time in hospital and she has really stepped up in helping with the day-to-day care of the twin boys the family care for. Megan considers the boys as her brothers.
Not only has Megan been able to support her family, but she’s studied, passed her exams and is now a qualified pharmacist! The fact she was able to sit her exams whilst her mum was critically unwell and being part of a foster family is just amazing and shows her determination.”
Megan’s invaluable support, from household tasks, taking the boys to after school sessions and caring for them during the school holidays has not gone unnoticed – vitally, she has been the difference that has enabled the boys to remain with them.
Can I foster if I have my own children?
We sometimes get asked the question “can I foster if I have my own children?”, because, rightly so, people need to consider the impact fostering will have on their own family and close circle.
The reality is that many children flourish from being part of a foster family. Seeing life from another’s perspective can be an enriching experience. It can help a child learn and develop as an individual. Vital skills such as empathy and sharing are improved greatly, and they have a sense of pride.
Along with Megan, Harriet and Olivia are children of foster carers and prime examples of how fostering has been a rewarding experience. They shared the following:
“as foster siblings, we want to make children feel comfortable and that they are part of our family.”
Harriet said: “I have enjoyed meeting lots of different children and helping them. By helping them, I feel I’m doing a good thing, which then makes me feel good inside.”
Olivia added: “I feel I’m a kind person, and I’m able to show others kindness through their fostering journey.”
We thank children of foster carers
Our fostering team would like to say:
“From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank every child of foster carers for everything you do to support your family to foster. Never underestimate the role you play. It’s not always easy welcoming a child into your home, but every day you provide care and fun for children that may need it the most. Your efforts change lives, and we truly thank you.”
If you’d like to find out more about fostering with Foster Wales RCT, your local authority fostering service, please contact us here.
If you reside outside of RCT, please visit our national Foster Wales website to find out about fostering within your local authority in Wales.
