When you make the decision to become a foster carer, this is the start of a journey. Each carer must own who they are and understand what it takes to provide the best support. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Understand What It Takes
Being a foster carer goes beyond just looking after children. It is a commitment and a calling. It is important to feel passionate about what you will do so that you can bring your best self to the table at any given moment. There will be highs and lows and it is your job to navigate them all and keep on moving. Understanding what it takes to be a great carer will help you to get into the right mindset.
Be Confident in Your Abilities
It is also important to know yourself and feel confident in what you can do. Foster carers need to be able to adapt at any given moment. They know that a child needs them and take the time to get to know the young person they look after. If you are confident in yourself, this role will be so much easier.
Work with an Experienced Foster Care Agency
Every foster carer needs a strong agency like Fosterplus in Glasgow behind them so that they can do what’s required and have the right kind of support. It is always better to have a strong team around you, and that is the key thing to search for before signing up and moving through the application process. When you know your wider network is as passionate and experienced as you, the road ahead will be an adventure filled with positive moments.
Get to Know the Area
Before you become a carer in Glasgow, it is a great idea to get to know the local area. This is because looking after children means taking them out and doing things. It will also help you succeed if you understand how things like the education system functions, what support is out there, and where the age-appropriate recreational spots are. Your top priority will be to keep the young people you look after safe and engaged, and this is only possible if you know what’s around you.
Practice Advocating
You will often be asked to advocate for your foster children in various settings like school, healthcare, and with your social worker network. It will be your job to speak up and get them the right kinds of support, flag concerns, and ask for provision where necessary. So, your voice needs to be a strong one that is capable of doing all of the above and more. The more experience you gain, the easier this will become. Before you know it, advocating the best path will be second nature to you and there is no feeling as empowering. The young people in your care may have never had someone on their team in the same way, and you can create positive changes that will make their future a better place.
Being a great foster carer means knowing who you are and what you are capable of. There are hundreds of chances to create positive changes, and you have the privilege of seeing it through.
