Case Study: Lesley Harris 

Lesley Harris has been a foster carer with Pathway Care for just over a year. With

 three grown up birth children and four grandchildren family-life has 

always been her priority. Before becoming a full-time foster carer Lesley was a care

 support worker in the mental health sector. 

In the short time she's been fostering Lesley has looked after three fostered children and currently cares for an 11-year-old girl called Leanne (not her real name). Lesley's background means she's well equipped to look after children and young people with complex needs, such as those with challenging emotional and behavioural issues.

Lesley said: "I feel passionately about helping vulnerable young people who through no fault of their own have had a difficult start in life. I knew that my professional training would enable me to offer them the emotional support they need. However, you don't need professional qualifications to a good foster carer.

"Apart from their foster carers many fostered children have no one else they can call on to look out for them. They need stability, routine, and it's crucial they know that someone cares about them.

She added: "To be a good foster carer you need to be open minded and a good listener while at the same time able to set clear boundaries. Fostering can be challenging but for the right person it's hugely rewarding. Without foster carers many vulnerable children would have no one to love them."