tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031616750644178863.post5365946866364469538..comments2024-03-28T21:21:23.546+00:00Comments on Suddenly Mummy: About Foster CarersRebecca Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03323122949121536943noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031616750644178863.post-56618151438268905022014-09-16T17:13:56.301+01:002014-09-16T17:13:56.301+01:00I do wish that foster carers could be seen as part...I do wish that foster carers could be seen as partners with other professionals (as I do count myself a professional in my role!) with something to offer that goes beyond basic caring. I have had to train myself in a crash course on neurology, attachment theory, makaton, nutrition, play therapy and much more in order to provide the highest quality environment in my home that I can. I find that social workers and others are immensely surprised that I do this (sometimes expectations seem very low), but I think it's the least that's required of me!Rebecca Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03323122949121536943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031616750644178863.post-74077865840028883012014-09-16T17:09:56.508+01:002014-09-16T17:09:56.508+01:00This is somewhat my experience too. I fit the age ...This is somewhat my experience too. I fit the age group, ethnicity and religious affiliation, but I'm educated to post-grad level and had no prior children. I also see fostering as a professional role, and it's a shame that some other professionals I work with expect less than this to the point that they are surprised when I do things that I would consider to be basic necessities (such as teaching myself Makaton out of a book when I had a child with practically no speech). In reality, of course, whatever the statistics say, we are really a diverse bunch!Rebecca Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03323122949121536943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031616750644178863.post-12027283716940491822014-09-16T14:55:50.985+01:002014-09-16T14:55:50.985+01:00We're white british and Christian, but apart f...We're white british and Christian, but apart from that we're quite different from the "average" foster carer. We haven't yet had our own birth/adopted children, we started fostering in our 20s, we had no professional childcare experience beforehand, we both have degrees and further study. We see fostering as a professional role (although the renumeration does not reflect this) and attend all the training we're offered rather than just the minimum required. We've discovered we're in the minority, at least compared to a lot of other foster carers we've met!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520496269318918677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031616750644178863.post-87530283489252436062014-09-16T07:44:01.940+01:002014-09-16T07:44:01.940+01:00Good and informative post.
As you noted care that...Good and informative post. <br />As you noted care that foster carers seek to provide sat times feels undermined by the very system that protects the children, the family and their rights. It is often a misunderstood role with applicants anticipating "just" loving a child and keeping them safe. For many children replacement parents are not what they need, safe, clean, nurturing & welcoming environments are the most they can accept. <br />Without doubt the role of foster carers can be unappreciated by other professionals up the food chain but, hopefully, I see that attitude is slowly changingAl Coateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364194762953045888noreply@blogger.com