Based on feedback from our foster carers we have created 3 challenges that a potential foster carer will most likely face. To help you with this we have highlighted the issues and some suggestions to help manage and overcome these issues.
1.Foster child’s complexed behavior
Some of children you might come in contact with will have had some really troubled traumatic experiences and this has a negative impact on the child as well as being emotionally unstable. when we endure something of that kind it is human nature to take it all in and keep the emotions inside. Sometimes this can result in the child have erratic behaviour, the child can become anti-social as well as self-harming in some extreme cases.
The best way to understand and support your child is to look at the issue and what is the root cause of the problem. it is important for the foster parents to be understanding so they can help the child overcome. Sometimes adjusting to a new life for the child can be a big task leaving the comfort of the life he once knew and embarking on a new journey.
Every child and their journey is unique and when you become an approved foster carer you will receive training to help you in these situations. the training will give you behavior management tips and other tips to help you. The most important quality for a foster carer to have is patience. You’re never on your own, you always have a supervising social worker as well as peer support groups to help you and remember it could take years to help the child.
2. visits to biological parents
One of the primary aims for a foster carer is to reunite the child with their parents when it is safe to do so. Foster carer has a temporary arrangement to look after the child so the biological parents can in the meantime sort their issues out. the goal of fostering is to create a warm and loving home for the
Child and ease the burden of the family so the child isnt being brought up in an unstable home. Continued contact with the child’s family is very important for the well being of the child and sometimes this can be a very uneasy task because the resentment and anger can sometimes be aimed at you. But it is important to stick to the visiting arrangement as it benefits the child long term.
Make sure you liaise with your supervising social worker before making contact with the biological family. the social worker will give you background information and will help you.
3. Maintaining a healthy life balance
Fostering just like parenthood is a full-time balance where the parents put themselves second to their children well being. this in effect can become a big problem through burnout. You become so engrossed in helping others that you can get exhausted. Exhaustion can lead to being run down, unmotivated and depression this can heavily impact the quality of care you provide for the child.
it is good practice to try and take some time out for yourself, a partner or a back up carer can take on your responsibility. Your supervising Social worker can help you set this up.
That’s it for the 3 common challenges and if you have any questions then leave them below and we will get back to you on them.