What about my kids?

It’s one of the first questions people ask us, and it’s a good one. If you’re a parent thinking about fostering, your own children are probably at the front of your mind. Will they cope? Will they feel pushed out? Is it fair to ask them to share their home, and you?

Here’s the honest answer. Fostering changes family life for everyone, birth children included. For lots of families, it changes it for the better.

Fostering is definitely a family decision

When you foster, the whole household fosters. Your children will share their space, their routines and sometimes your time with a young person who may be finding life really hard.

That’s why we involve your children from the start. During your assessment, your social worker will spend time with them, ask how they feel and listen to any worries. Their voice matters. If they’re not ready yet, that’s important to know, and it’s far better to find out early.

Children of foster carers often say fostering taught them things they couldn’t have learned anywhere else. Patience. Empathy. An understanding that not every child gets the same start in life.

Many grow up to be kind, thoughtful adults who see the world a little differently because of the children who came to live with them. Many of our current foster parents grew up with foster children.

That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There might be days when your child feels jealous, frustrated or left out. That’s normal, and it’s nothing to feel guilty about. What helps is talking openly, protecting one to one time with your own children, and having support around you when things feel wobbly.

We never place a child with you without thinking carefully about everyone already living in your home.

When we look at matching, we consider your children’s ages, their personalities and what will work for your household. Lots of families find it works well when a fostered child is younger than their own children, but every family is different, and we’ll talk it through with you honestly.

Hope supports the whole family

As an independent agency based in Nottingham, we get to know every member of your family, not just the adults.

Support whenever you need it: If something comes up at 10pm on a Sunday, we’re here. 24/7, 365 days a year.

A team that knows you: Your supervising social worker will check in on how your children are doing, not just how the placement is going.

Space to be heard: Your children can talk to us too. If they have worries, we want to hear them. We even run young people and family events throughout the year.

Thank you

October is when the fostering community celebrates the sons and daughters of foster carers. To every child in a Hope family who has shared their bedroom wall, their games console or the last slice of pizza…thank you. You make fostering work. Find out more about Children of Foster Carers Week here.

Thinking about fostering with your family?

If you live in Nottingham, Derby or the East Midlands and you’re wondering how fostering could fit around your family, let’s talk. No pressure, just an honest chat about what it could look like for you.

Call us on 0115 900 2795, email enquiries@hopefs.co.uk, or get in touch for an informal chat.