Fostering with small children

[Thisisus909]

I have always wanted to foster, well before I had my own children but my DH wasn’t keen. He is now fully on board with the idea. We have very young children, one with SEND. I don’t think we have capacity to look after any more little ones, but could imagine caring for a teen who would need something very different from us than our children. Whilst I know some teens in care have extremely challenging behaviour, is there a need for FC for teens who need support but whose behaviour is manageable with small children in the house. I wouldn’t expect saintly teens (my own won’t either I’m sure!) and could support a teen with some SEN, mental health difficulties (assuming they weren’t violent).

Is it daft to even consider it?

My background is in working with children professionally and have a small amount of teen experience in previous jobs. I’m already therapeutically parenting my own children for SEND reasons.

I think you should talk to your local authority fostering team, they will be able to tell you more about how children are placed etc. Fostering is a massive commitment though doesn’t mean you’re not suitable.

[quote Phosterphil]Here’s what we did
fosteringandadoptionwithphil.com/2021/02/07/yeah-but-what-about-your-own-kids/[/quote]
That’s so moving.

I know the normal expectation is for younger foster children than your birth kids.
Think we might start with offering night stop (homeless teens a few nights in an emergency, rather than being FC) and see how it works.