Getting experience for fostering..

[Joanna522]

Hi, my partner and I have already gone through the assessment and are now waiting for our panel meeting. We don't have children and only have experience of spending time with family & friends' kids.
I will be the main carer, giving up my job and I would like to get a little bit more experience with foster children before we get our own - I was thinking of giving a hand to other foster carers in the area, either by helping them when they need a couple of hours of rest or even babysitting. Is it possible and if so, how do I go about finding them? We have both been DBA approved now, so all checks are done. Thanks!

Sorry Jo but only other approved foster carer or people id in a foster carers support network are allowed to offer respite to looked after children.

All I can say is try things like brownies, army cadets, police cadets ECt

I think you either have fostering in you or your don't so I wouldn't worry I have meet foster carers who have lots of children who are awful and foster carers who had no children who are fab

I think the only draw back I can see to not having had bio children is when you need to detangle what is "normal behaviour and what is issues to do with what the children have suffered.

Good luck

Best if you contact your local volunteer service or look on Job Centre plus Webb for Volunteer vacancy's sure there will be plenty in the area you will be looking for. But you will still have too be re checked I believe.

Also contact your local NCT. Most of them run playgroups and they always need helping hands to set up toys ect.

Thank you all for answers and tips! My partner and I attended the panel meeting today and we got accepted!
Incredibly happy about this! Now just waiting for the decision maker to confirm the final decision. I am about to quit my job and we're searching for the beds, wardrobes, etc.

I put forward the idea of shadowing/helping another foster carer and the panel members were very positive about it. I will look into volunteering, I am more than happy to do so, it's hard at the moment though as I have a full time job and shifts differ from day to day, so once I am off work (if we don't have a placement), I will have all day to spend on getting experience, which I am really looking forward to!

Thanks again! :)

Hi Joanna, my LA offers new carers the chance to "shadow" an experienced foster carer when they're first starting out. Not only does it give you an insight into some of the challenging behaviour presented by lots of foster children, it also gives you a friend!! No matter how many friends with birth children you have, there are lots of times you will need someone who knows exactly what you're going through (not to mention someone you can discuss things frankly with - because of confidentiality you can't tell even your closest friends some of the things you might experience with your foster placements)

Good luck! Hopefully you won't have too long to wait now.

Thanks scarlet5tyger :)
I see what you mean, the confidentiality is what is making it harder really as we need to watch what we say, that's true!
I am really looking forward to the shadowing and learning more!
We were accepted by panel on Wednesday and now waiting for the official decision. How long does it usually take? Then we have to sign some papers in Jan when our SSW is back from hols, after that I can quit and start the learning process! :)

Ratification takes 7-10 days in my LA but they often have a child in mind for you before you get the official Yes!

I handed in my notice the day of panel as I've not heard of a decision being overturned after panel says yes.

We're with IFA, therefore they're may not have a child for us yet, also we may have to wait a bit for the right match.
Our SSW said it normally takes few days to get the official decision through, however I am aware it's nearly Christmas.

On the experience side of things, I am going to try and spend some time at day nursery nearby (hopefully they won't mind!) when they re-open after Christmas.

Thanks all!