Meet Sharon and find out why she chose to foster with us
Sharon is a foster carer for Central Bedfordshire, along with the support of her two daughters. They foster children as they have a passion to support local children and families. Sharon told us why she chose to foster with us.
I’m Sharon and I’m an intensive support foster carer in Central Bedfordshire. I have been fostering for 5 years. I have two daughters; Abigail aged 20 and Chloe aged 17. Throughout our journey, we have fostered together as a family and they are truly amazing.
I have always worked with pre-school children in day nurseries and though running my own business, but fostering was always something I wanted to do when the time was right for my family.
I chose Central Bedfordshire Council, as I wanted to support local families and give back to my community. I have never regretted that decision and have been fully supported by the team.
We were unsure, as a family, when we started the process. We wonderered what kind of foster carers we wanted to become: short term or long term. As we went through the process, we decided to do long term to give a child the chance of living in a stable, loving, home.
After 3 years, I became an intensive support carer, looking after the most challenging children in care and specialising my skills.
This obviously does bring extra challenges to the role, but we approach them as a team. Together, as a family and with social services, to achieve the best outcome for all of us. Central Bedfordshire Council has gone above and beyond in supporting us and trusts my judgement as a valued member of the team.
The best thing about fostering, is giving a child a family where they can be nourished and cared for safely and then watching them blossom into their wonderful characters.
I love advocating for my child and being their voice; often, we are the first person to speak up for them.
It’s important to have a good strong network around you. Your family comes on this journey with you. Your extended family becomes foster grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins. You will meet some amazing foster carers with the same passion as you and you will be privileged to call some of them your friends along the way. They will be the ones that can truly understand and help you along this journey.
For me, it's the best decision I have ever made; I love my fostering role. I encourage you to pick up the phone and start your amazing journey today, too.
Sharon
Foster carer
Interested in becoming a foster carer?
Telephone: 0300 300 8181