Starting out - books / advice / resources please!

[EnglishIrishRose]

Hi there,

So, me and my DW are in the process to become foster carers with an IFA. All checks and medicals and what have you are going through right now, and this is the bit which I'm finding a bit slow. It's all a waiting game right now.

The thing is, I'm a big researcher and want to be as prepared as I possibly can before we have a placement. I'd like to be proactive rather than just sitting about waiting for home visits to start. Panel is likely to be in October.

My question to all you lovely foster carers on MN is... can you recommend any books, websites, documentaries or other resources to help me really understand fostering and get ready to start?

And what is the one thing (or what are the many things) you wish you knew before starting to foster?

Thanks in advance for being patient with a newbie

[YorkshireMansWife]

When I was going through assessment i sit and read all threads on Fostering on here. I feel I learnt so much and will be ever grateful I found mumsnet.

I basically just googled everything I ever thought of that could be fostering related.

Good luck with the assessment, any other questions this is the place to ask

[Flower20166]

I did the same as Yorkshiremanswife and read through pretty much every thread on this board!
There's also some fostering groups on facebook. A lot of the people who post on them are in the USA there's a few UK carers, they're quite interesting! If you PM me I can add you to the groups :)
Good luck with the rest of your assessment, it really does seem like it drags, but it will be worth it!

[EnglishIrishRose]

Thanks both :) I have read through all these threads, back when I was a mere lurker. I've found MN so so helpful!