Armed Forces Day - From Military Boots to Foster Care: How Transferable Skills Made It Possible
Date published
28 June 2024
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Armed Forces Day - From Military Boots to Foster Care: How Transferable Skills Made It Possible
According to government statistics, the number of military personnel who voluntarily left the services (VO – Voluntary Outflow) from the Trained and Untrained UK Regular Forces was 16,140 in the 12 months to 31 December 2023, down slightly from 16,230 in the 12 months to 31 December 2022 (gov.uk, June 2024).
So, what comes next? How do ex service personnel apply their skill set to the next chapter of their lives? It turns out that the skillset developed in the military has proven to transfer well to a career as a foster carer.
Foster carer Daisy Doo* talks about how husband Duncan* started his career in the army at 16 and how this prepared him for the career that they share today.
A message from Daisy Doo*
Hey, how is everyone doing?
We have reached the middle of 2024 and what a year it has been so far. Lots of exciting rewards are coming our way from Calon and new members of staff and carers to welcome too.
We are fast approaching Armed Forces Day and I thought it would be prudent to drop a little line regarding this.
An army career
My hubby and partner in crime joined the Army at 16. He has visited lots of places and been in some traumatic circumstances and has come out the other end. The Army instilled in him traits that may not have been so developed had he not had the experiences that he has had.
How did the army prepare for a career in care?
Resilience, patience, keeping calm in difficult situations, thinking things through, the ability to reflect on things. His time keeping is a little annoying though!! We all know him for his ability to always be early for things. He also understands how important training is. Training enabled him to do his job in the Army and training underpins what he does as a foster carer.
He will be the first to tell you that his Army life helped him during the early stages of fostering and instilled in him the need to be reflective and transparent in his practice. He has been away from his birth family, experienced trauma and loss, has had to make new friends in different regiments along the way ... sound familiar?
Becoming a foster carer
If you know anyone who has been or is currently in the Armed Forces, reach out to them. Fostering is a journey they may not have thought of starting. If they are currently serving and home based, what better way to transition into civilian life than to do it with the support of Calon Cymru and the team. Make an enquiry here and see how a career in foster care could be the next step.
Daisy Doo* and Julian* too (and Duncan*)
*Name changed to protect the identity of the foster carer, children and young people in their care
Category
Fostering insights
Topics
- Advice
- Foster Carer
Date published
28 June 2024
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From Union Chair to Foster Care: How Dai Transformed His Skillset into Fostering Success
You don’t need to have a background in childcare to become a foster carer. In fact, many of the skills needed aren't directly related to looking after children at all. Transferrable skills such as communication skills, working with other professionals and empathy, are just as important. Coming from a corporate career into the world of fostering is absolutely an option and many have done just that.
Skills of a Foster Carer
The role of a foster carer is crucial. Although the reason that children and young people come into care may vary, one thing remains constant, and that is their need for a stable and supportive home.
Do you think you can change the life of a local vulnerable child or young person?
Get in touch today for a casual, friendly chat with our experienced foster advisors.
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