Fostering Fortnight: Bristol couple urge others to foster and help vulnerable children lead a better life
13.05.10
Bristol foster carer, Louise Jenkins, is issuing an appeal to people throughout the region to consider a career in foster care as Fostering Fortnight 2010* gets underway.
Louise and Cliff Jenkins, aged 37 and 39 respectively, from Downend in Bristol, are foster carers with leading independent fostering agency Pathway Care.
Due to a shortage of more than 600 foster carers in the Bristol area, the couple want to raise awareness of the vital work foster carers do to help children and young people from challenging backgrounds to regain their self esteem and build a positive life for the future.
Louise and Cliff first started fostering 18 months ago after a leaflet dropped through their letterbox at a time when Louise was considering a career change. Since then they have had two children on long-term placements and have provided short-term respite care for two others.
They currently foster 16-year-old James** who has been with the couple for four months. James is so happy with the Jenkins’ that they he has agreed to stay with them for another two years until he turns 18.
Louise said: “It was amazing that the leaflet about fostering came through our door when it did. At the time I was working at a pre-school so I was used to working with children, which I love, but wanted something that offered me more flexibility.
“I must admit that at first I thought fostering would be an easy ride but it does require a lot of hard work and patience. However, the rewards you get more than make up for it.”
Louise and Cliff have two daughters of their own, Sophie who is 14 and Phoebe who is eight. At first Louise says the girls were apprehensive about having a foster child in the house but now they couldn’t be happier.
She continues: “The first foster child we had is now one of Sophie’s best friends so it’s great that we still get to see a lot of her. Both girls enjoy the extra company at home and were only too happy to give up their separate bedrooms to move in together to make room for the foster children.”
The Jenkins’ oldest daughter Sophie suffers from the chronic fatigue syndrome, ME, and when their first foster child arrived she was very poorly. Since then her condition has improved and she now attends school on a part-time basis.
Louise adds: “Being able to juggle looking after a child in poor health and fostering for the first time was a real challenge for us but the fact that we were able to cope, shows that it can work around other commitments. Our girls have made some great friends in our foster children and I really believe that they have had a positive impact on their life.
“Sophie is in a band with some other local children and now James has also joined in, taking an active interest while also playing the tambourine. Both of them are really excited about performing at the Mangotsfield Festival this summer.”
“To be a good foster carer you need to go into the role with your eyes open, be non judgemental, supportive, understanding and patient. You also have to be generous with your praise but set boundaries for reasonable behaviour and be fair but firm when needed. For the right sort of person fostering really is the best job in the world.
“We never feel alone, Pathway Care provide us with support from experienced social workers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”
Martin Leitch, Pathway Care’s south west regional director, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is a vital reminder that children and young people in care are missing out on family life and the support and care that so many of us take for granted.
“So many of our youngsters are in care through no fault of their own. They’re pigeon-holed as troublesome or problematic, but so often they’ve had a very difficult start to life.”
“People are increasingly realising the benefits a career in foster care can offer such as flexible working and a competitive income. Foster carers come from all backgrounds and cultures and include couples with or without children, single and divorced people, and lone parents. We’re welcoming people across Bristol and the south west who are existing foster carers or those who are considering becoming foster carers and think they have what to it takes to provide a loving and supportive home to those who really need one.”
A career in foster care offers many benefits including competitive rates of pay and flexible working. For more information about fostering please contact Pathway Care on tel: 0871 226 3760; or visit the website at www.pathwaycare.com
