First Placements

[Minnerva]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone had any first placement experiences that they would be happy to share.We are waiting for our first placement having completed all necessary shopping and preparing and are very curious as to any stories that would give us an insight.I realise that all placements are different but I would be really interested if anyone is willing to share.

Many thanks
Minnerva

Hi,

Although it is now many years ago I remember our first placement very well.

We had been to panel and were approved to take 2 children up to 5 years old, the very next day we were asked to take an 8 month old little boy.

He was with us 4 months, leaving a few days before Christmas and we were all absolutely devastated. In those brief months he had become so dear to us I thought "thats it, this isn't for us, it's too hard letting go"

Our youngest child was only 4 and felt his absence keenly, she would open a selection box and put to one side the chocolate buttons "just in case he comes back Mum"

We did carry on of course and it's strange to think that little boy will now be a strapping chap of 24

It was about a year ago - in fact, our first foster child arrived on April 1st. We had not long been approved (about a week or so) and hadn't really prepared as much as we should have (in retrospect!).
We had a call just gone five and about 30 mins later, 9 year old turned up with his social worker in his school uniform and holding his guitar (he had had guitar practice that day at school).
He hadn't been in the UK for too long and English was his second language. Friend who spoke relevant language popped round the next day with a dictionary and phrase book!

Fortunately, I had time to run to Peacocks to get some underwear, pyjamas etc.

The first few nights were very distressing (as they have been for each of the three children who have come to us over the year) but he settled down quicker than we had expected and was absolutely delightful.

Saying goodbye was hard but not as hard as we would have imagined as we were fairly confident a good permanent plan had been made for him and that he was going to be alright - incidently, we were told by the school that (unsurprisingly) his English improved exponentially while he was with us..

Huge thanks to both of you for replying to my question-it is interesting to hear your stories as I have no idea what to expect!!.

He was 6 suffered from feotal alcohol syndrome, aspergers.
His previous carer had demanded his placement end that day. She brought him round to us with his belongings in 3 bin bags, (when I unpacked next day I realised she had just tipped toy boxes into the bags, there were dozens of broken toys, snotty tissues the lot it was vile).
She didn't even come into the house just left him on the doorstep with the warning that he had severe headlice.
He had to go into hospital the next day for a minor op on his cleft palate. SS had begged her to keep him another week so he had a familiar face at the hospital but she refused.
Bad start but he stayed with us for 3 years.
We love fostering it is so rewarding.
Good luck let us know when you get your first placement.
If you get any crap fcs don't be as soft as I was. I'm a lot tougher now. Though I must admit she gave us a good lesson in how not to treat a child.