Local foster carer shares her 13-year Kinship Care experience

A LOCAL foster carer tells her story of being a kinship carer since the age of 23 years old so she could guarantee her half-sister and nephews the best start in life.

Tameside foster carer, Rachel, whose real name has been changed to protect her identity, is an insight to the huge difference foster carers can make to the lives of young people and children.

Rachel has agreed to share her story to highlight Greater Manchester’s Fostering Fortnight, which is from 4 November until 17 November. The theme for this year is ‘debunking fostering myths.'

It all began one day when Rachel received a phone call from a social worker who expressed their concern for her half-sister’s welfare.

With Rachel being the only connected person to her 7-year-old half-sister, she instantly made the decision to open up her home and raise her alongside her 15-month-old biological son.

By spending quality time with her half-sister, Rachel noticed she was finding it difficult to adapt in such an unsettling time.

Rachel took it upon herself to secure counselling sessions and speech and language therapy for her half-sister, which supported and guided her half-sister onto a positive pathway.

When Rachel was asked what she was most proud of, she said: “Watching my half-sister become who she is today, a strong independent woman, who’s got a successful career even with all of the challenges she faced during her childhood.”

This wasn’t the end of Rachel’s journey in kinship care, as two years ago she received another call asking if she could care for her 10-month-old twin nephews.

Rachel took time to consider this as she knew it would be a challenging time, but Rachel claimed: “I wasn’t sure I could do it again, but my heart took over when thinking of those poor boys and where they would be. My heart told me to do it.”

Rachel said: “Even though the application process is thorough and can therefore be quite stressful at times, I understood it was necessary for the safeguarding of the children, and I knew it would be worthwhile.

“I wanted to experience what I got to experience with my half-sister and her achievements with the two boys.”

Rachel had never met her nephews before agreeing to become their connected carer. The two young boys were in foster care for the first 10 months of their life. Rachel, the two boys and their previous foster carer meet up at each other’s houses on a regular basis.

Rachel said: “Their previous foster carer is extremely experienced, and we’ve become genuine friends so it’s lovely to stay in touch and lean on her for support at times.

“I’ve also received a positive response from my social workers, and I always know I have someone to turn to when I need support no matter the time or day.

“When fostering or caring for kids you’re never alone, if you’re considering starting your fostering journey my advice would be to go for it and talk to people who may have been in the same situation.”

Through caring for her family members Rachel has found her passion for caring and said: “From my experience it’s inspired me to become a full-time foster carer once the boys are in full-time education, as I’ve found my love and passion for caring for local children and young people.”

Tameside Council are looking for more Tameside residents to come forward and become foster carers to provide stable and loving homes for vulnerable local children. The council provides foster carers with full training, a support and an allowance.

Fostering can be flexible as there are various fostering opportunities to suit different schedules and lifestyles. Types of fostering can include short-term, long-term, specialist, emergency and respite fostering.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Children’s and Families Cllr Teresa Smith said: “I’d like to thank this carer for volunteering to tell such an intimate and heartwarming story.

“The love, dedication and commitment provided by our carers and foster carers is crucial to our priority of providing our children and young people the best start in life.

"If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer with us, don’t hesitate to get in touch even if you start with asking the questions important to you.”

For more information call 0300 303 0321 or email enquire@fosterforgm.com or visit  www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering