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The Story So Far…..
Tales from a couple of newly qualified Foster
Carers
Part 1. The Assessment Process
L and I had discussed becoming foster carers
on many occasions. Once we had relocated to Cornwall
it seemed the perfect time to take up the challenge.
L had been a child-minder previously although
in this case I would be the primary carer. For
the last 20 years I had been a graphic designer,
as well as being a dad to my step daughter B (19)
and my children R (13) and Y (6). Change is as
good as a rest they say.
We looked around at the various companies and
local authorities and finally in April, after
an introductory meeting with J from South West
Placements decided they were the right company
for us to work with, they equally seemed happy
with us.
Within a few weeks we had to attend a 5 day
course titled "Skills to Foster" in
SWP's office in Plymouth.
We were quite nervous on day one but by the middle
of the week found both the trainers and attendees
and the course very stimulating (shame about the
toilet seat though!).
The course answered many of the questions we
had; also in attendance were skilled social workers
whose experiences in fostering were a real insight
into what we could experience (both good and bad).
After the course ended we arranged a meeting
with A, a qualified Social Worker and at the time
a new recruit to SWP.
On A's first visit she met our two youngest
children (B was in East Sussex training to be
a nurse) and she spoke to all of us about our
thoughts in becoming a foster family. All the
way through the assessment process A made it very
clear that the whole family needed to be involved
in the assessment. At first it felt a little unusual
having Y interviewed in the kitchen while we sat
in the living room, but SWP made it clear that
making sure every member of the family is prepared
and happy with the change in family dynamics a
foster child would create. It was also at this
stage once A had looked around the house she decided
that we would be able to take on one child. We
also agreed as a group on a suitable age.
From this point on there were forms to fill
in and a small amount of self evaluation but A
would take our incoherent ramblings and turn them
into something more literate.
We arranged an outing with another child (one
of Y's school friends) This exercise along with
the meetings we had had with A would all be documented
as part of our competencies that would eventually
form our final document that would be presented
to the fostering panel.
We had expected the process to take around 6
months, but at the beginning of August we received
conformation that our competencies were complete
and we were ready to go. Our panel was to sit
on August 30th.
The process of documenting our competencies
seemed on first discussion to be quite a daunting
task, but with A's knowledge of what was required
it really was very painless.
On the 30th we travelled with A and K (SWP office
guru and my cell phone saviour!!) up to the company
head office to be (hopefully approved) by the
panel.
Were we nervous, yes, but also excited. Suddenly
being presented to all these people who were,
as they introduced themselves very experienced
in all areas of foster care made both of us a
little like rabbits on headlights.
We sat down and waited to be cross examined.
But after a few straight forward questions, that
was it! Hand shakes all round and we were approved.
R T
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