Foster Wales Conwy covers 10 reasons to foster a teenager. Fostering a child of any age is a decision that brings both enormous rewards and equivalent level of challenges. No matter the age of the child, taking the first step on your fostering journey is something that needs great thought. And, the decision to become a foster carer for teenagers is no different. There are highs and lows with both, with rewards significantly outweighing the challenges – both for teenagers and for foster carers.
misconceptions of teenagers
We hear many misconceptions relating to fostering teenagers. These can be where some people don’t feel they have the skills or experience to care for them. One of Foster Wales Conwy’s foster carers hears “you won’t be able to make a difference to their life, because they’re too old”.
“I could not disagree with this anymore. We care for a 15 year old, and the transformation we have seen in the first year is more than we‘ve seen in anyone. Not just in fostering, but in anyone we have ever met“
Foster Wales Conwy Foster Carer
Foster Wales Conwy Assessing Social Worker hears that “teenagers are trouble makers and display challenging behaviours”. Their response is:
“One label does not fit every child. Some of our teenagers can use behaviours to mask their feelings of pain and fear. But with the right environment, nurturing, patience and by having realistic expectations; many of our young people will go on to achieve positive outcomes. This is not easy, and you won’t see results over night. But with the support of your local Foster Wales Team you can make a difference“
Foster Wales Conwy Social Worker
If you feel you could make a difference to a local teenager, take a look at Types Of Foster Care to see which one might be best suited to you and your family.
Welcoming teens in to your home, may not be easy. And as mentioned many people are hesitant to foster teenagers because they believe it will be too hard. Teenagers are still looking for what every other child needs – a place to feel like they belong.
here are 10 reasons to foster a teenager:
- You care: regardless of how long they stay with you, in time you will have a positive impact on them.
- Support: you are able to support them with future goals. Such as going to school, attending college, living independently or even teaching them how to cook their favourite meal.
- You may be able to show them what a safe and stable home looks like.
- You can teach them how to be resilient and manage situations when they get scared.
- Trust: you might be the only person that they will ever learn to deeply trust.
- You will be able to make sure they don’t have to handle big decisions in their life on their own.
- You’ll be part of a local team who all work together to achieve the best for the young person.
- You may be their last stop, before venturing in to the world and living independently.
- You may be able to teach them how to develop and maintain positive relationships.
- Accepting: You can show them that someone will support and encourage them for being who they are.
Foster Wales Conwy’s young people need foster carers who can support them. Whilst giving them confidence in developing life skills in preparation for adult hood. If you would be able to provide security, safety and permanence for a young person, contact Contact Us | Foster Wales Conwy.
