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:

1. You care: regardless of how long they stay with you, in time you will have a positive impact on them.
2. 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.
3. You may be able to show them what a safe and stable home looks like.
4. You can teach them how to be resilient and manage situations when they get scared.
5. Trust: you might be the only person that they will ever learn to deeply trust.
6. You will be able to make sure they don’t have to handle big decisions in their life on their own.
7. You’ll be part of a local team who all work together to achieve the best for the young person.
8. You may be their last stop, before venturing in to the world and living independently.
9. You may be able to teach them how to develop and maintain positive relationships.
10. 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.

The post 10 Reasons to Foster a Teenager appeared first on foster wales conwy.

Having pets does not prevent you from applying to become a foster carer with Foster Wales Conwy. In fact pets can be great benefits to a foster home. Lots of our fostering families have a range of pets from cats or dogs, to hens, rabbits and even snakes.

Every animal is unique and different in their own way. Your pets are an important part of your fostering journey, and fostering household. Your pets will take part in their own ‘Pet Questionnaire’ which looks at their temperament and behaviour. It is also essential to think about how your pet might feel with someone new joining your home.

what are the benefits of pets in a fostering home?

Pets, in particular dogs and cats can have amazing therapeutic benefits for children and young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs, and can encourage development of non-verbal communication.

Studies show that animals can help children navigate through challenges of settling in to a new foster home, by providing them with feelings of safety and security. Animal bonds have been shown to support psychological well-being across a range of children and young people, including those with disabilities. There are a lot of benefits of having pets within a fostering home.

Fostering secure attachment: experiences of animal companions in the foster home

Heather a foster carer for Foster Wales Conwy shared that her cat Jac and the child she cares for are;

“true partners in crime”

A child Heather cares for loves to share toys and games with Jac. And is entertained by Jac when he climbs the curtains or gets stuck in the Christmas tree.

foster wales conwy also includes pet chickens in a fostering home

Pets are also brilliant ice breakers, particularly for children who lack trust in adults. By seeing a pet being cared for by an adult, it enables a child to assess whether the adult providing the care to the pet is trust worthy.

Foster Wales Conwy’s foster carer Gwen recognises benefits of pets in a fostering home. Gwen shared that when a child stayed with them for a period of time due to an emergency, that she was fascinated by their pet chickens.

“She would love to feed them, water them and look out for any eggs”

Gwen speaks of how children who come to live with them benefit from and love looking after and petting the chickens – Gwen hears from the child’s foster carers that she stills talks about the chickens years later.

“I think they are calming creatures and help to soothe children”.

Over time the child may also develop positive feelings for pets within the home, or if they are allowed have their own pet, and this can help contribute to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Pets can teach children important and valuable lessons such as compassion, patience, responsibility, respect, empathy and trust. When a child is included in the care giving of the pet they can also learn how to love, nurture and care for another creature. As well as learning about consistency and commitment to the pet.

Part of your fostering journey could include supporting a child to move on from your care. We have heard how pets can support our fostering families through this difficult process. Our foster carer Gwen tells us that her dog Pegi has helped their family through “feelings of loss, sadness and grief”.

There are many benefits of pets in a fostering home. If you have a pet who you feel would be a great asset to a fostering household, why not speak to one of our team, Contact Us

The post benefits of pets in a fostering home appeared first on foster wales conwy.

Fostering can be an enriching and rewarding experience that your whole family will benefit from. Children who foster learn valuable life lessons such as sharing, caring for others, empathy and more. Evidence suggests a proportion of birth children may go on to become foster carers themselves, enter caring professions and many feel that fostering has enhanced their social understanding skills.

Start of our Fostering Journey

When my mum and dad started thinking about fostering, I didn’t know what it was, so I was a little bit confused. But when they told me why children come in to foster care, I knew I wanted to help my mum and dad in every way to get this job. Our Social Worker came round to help us and he was really nice, he started asking me and my sister questions and making sure we were ok with all the changes.

Next step is Fostering Panel

Panel came around really quickly, as we were told there was a child ready for us. We were really stressed, but also really excited. This was during lockdown so we could only get the essentials from the shop, but we managed to work our way around it! The second day the babies were here it really got to me, and I had a meltdown because of all the stress. But mum explained to me that any baby would be unsettled for the first few days, but after that they would be happy and settled in nicely.

Time to say ‘Goodbye’

It was great seeing the babies grow up and learn new things, but the day they go must come. This day was a very happy, but also upsetting day. It was great that the babies were going back to somewhere where they belong, but it was also really sad because I was losing somebody that I had spent all this time with.

“Fostering has taught me many things”

Fostering has taught me many things, like how to change a nappy, how to feed a baby and how to get one to sleep. And they are just to name a few things. It has also made me look at the world differently now. You may know somebody and they are going through a hard time at home, but they’ve not told you. So go check up on your friends every once in a while. It has also made me realise I should never take anything for granted, and I should be very grateful for what I have.

Fostering is a great experience and I am really happy that I am still young, and still learning things throughout fostering. There is definitely a time in fostering when it can get hard, but there’s always someone there for you to talk to. I really hope my fostering journey’s helped you in any way possible.

To watch Eleri’s Birth Child Fostering Journey video in full visit our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/maethucymruconwy/videos/1547401348930098.

The post A Birth Child’s Fostering Journey appeared first on foster wales conwy.