Welcoming a Foster Child to Your Home

The arduous fostering assessment procedure is now over, and you have been approved as a foster carer. Yet, the thought of a kid arriving at your house tonight evening can make you feel even more intimidated than you did when you visited the fostering panel.

This simple guide will assist you in getting ready for the arrival of your first foster child placement and will aid the foster kid in settling into your household.

The child has a story to share with you.

Before beginning the placement, it's crucial to learn as much as you can from the social worker about your foster child. If you don't already have the contacts for the children's social worker, you can ask the supervising social worker at your fostering agency to share the information with you or request more information from them. At this stage, it's crucial to find out the child's preferred name, bedtime rituals, any anxieties they may have, and any medical needs. The referral form will frequently include this information, but if it has not, it is a good idea to start gathering it now, before the child comes.

The placement planning meeting must be scheduled within five working days, and it is often held at a foster home with the presence of both the children's social worker and the social worker from the fostering agency. To ease the transfer into your family, it is also important to learn about the child's interests, whether they like or despise pets, and their favourite foods in advance.

For their first visit, you may make a dish they enjoy!

Urge them to bring a piece of furniture for their room or assist the kid in organising their room!

Keep in mind that by showing that you are a member of my family, you are also helping the child feel in care of his or her bedroom, which is a private environment.

Keep your cool and continue as usual.

Remember not to hurry; it may seem stressful at times, and getting to know one another may take some time. Don't take the youngster on a tour of the entire house, meet too many relatives, or ask the child too many questions. Observe your foster child from a distance and give him or her time to get used to the new environment.

You are welcome

Talking with a child about how they want to personalize their space is a wonderful method to make a connection. As a way to get to know the child better, you may arrange a trip to the store or sit down and read a magazine together.

What suggestions do you have? NOT to use things purchased by the kids and NOT to buy everything at once. (This is different in cases of emergency placements; before making any purchases, please consult your supervising social worker.) As a general rule, do not spend more on clothing than the weekly suggested kid allowance, for eg, £20 per week.

Keep in mind that it's crucial to have everything that can hold emotional worth nearby, especially comfort items.

Add Some Fun Elements

Making plans for activities with your foster child will be essential in the coming days as you help him or her adjust. Showing kids that home life does not have to be dull and that you are available to support and handle things for them is a fabulous idea.

Do you have any suggestions? Before deciding what you can do, consider the child's age and interests. Moreover, consider it an opportunity to get to know the youngster better. Please avoid risky activities and pricey surprises, and consult the supervising social worker at the fostering agency before making any plans.

A new set of rules could be challenging for your foster child to accept. Give yourself space for error and time to change your strategy as needed. They might not be aware of the reasons why certain behaviours are prohibited because the standards in their prior household were totally different.

If you are thinking about fostering or are already fostering and would like to learn more about the benefits UK Fostering provides to their foster carers, we have a wealth of information on our website. If you would also like to speak with a member of our team, check out our online chat feature or give us a call.