Nurse to Foster Carer: A Career Dream Fulfilled

The Transition from Nursing to Foster Care

After years of working in Nursing in the Mental Health sector, Rosie* decided to take the skills she had honed throughout her career and achieve a goal that had been important to her since school, to become a foster carer. Now in her 40s, it was time for her to take the leap into foster care.

Whilst a career in, or experience in, childcare would be seen as the most beneficial background for a foster carer, that is not necessarily the case. There is much more to being a foster carer than simply looking after children and young people. It requires resilience, understanding, empathy, a kind, non-judgemental heart, and much, much more.

‘I worked as a mental health nurse and have worked in various roles, on acute mental health wards, looking after older people, a Mother and Baby unit, education, and much more, too many to list. Many years spent in various caring roles have helped me to gain experience and skills that I feel prepared us for our fostering journey. Sometimes it can be difficult to write these skills down on paper, sometimes it can just be a gut instinct, a feeling!’

These skills are something that anyone can have, but some careers allow you to practise and develop these people skills and prepare you for a career in foster care. Nursing is just one of many careers where we find people with the skill set needed to support vulnerable children and young people.

‘Working in mental health has given me a better understanding of people’s struggles, to be non-judgmental and to have patience. We never truly know what may be troubling someone, but sometimes their behaviour may tell us that they are unhappy, worried, etc. Developing good observational skills is definitely an advantage, as is being a good listener. As a nurse, I have cared for adults who have previously been looked after and it allowed me to have a greater understanding of their situation. I think life experiences and training as a mental health nurse have given me a better insight into the challenges faced by children who are looked after.’

Fostering career

It was 2018 when Rosie* decided to take the opportunity to become a foster carer and for Christmas that year they accepted their first placement, a 14 year old needing respite care. This short term placement gave them a taste of caring for teenagers and they soon realised that this was something that really suited them.

‘We had a great time and really enjoyed their stay with us, it also gave us an opportunity to consider how the future may look as a foster carer and how it would feel to have another person live with us.’

Types of foster care

Within 2 months they welcomed their first long term placement and 5 years later they have a very settled young man living with them alongside other young people who have joined the family since.

Over this time the family has welcomed placements for respite, long term, Care+ and Therapeutically Led Placements (TLP).

‘We love a challenge, with a background of working in mental health, the agency felt we would be suited to TLP and we have continued on this journey since first starting with the agency and passing panel a number of years ago. We haven’t looked back. The difference you can make to the life of a child who has experienced trauma is just amazing.’

Fostering Teenagers

The family has an affinity with teenagers and this has been considered closely throughout the matching process ensuring that the family and the young people placed there have things in common, and their lifestyles can be integrated easily. Although fostering can often be challenging they recall lots of fun times too.

‘We mostly look after children from the age of 10 years and upwards. We are a very active family, and the matching process is so important, all the children who we share our lives with, love being outdoors, and trying different activities and they all love animals, this is very important to us as we have 2 dogs. Now our dogs receive even more love than ever before!’

Read more about fostering with pets here.

Deciding to start fostering

Choosing to become a foster carer is not an overnight decision, we understand that people need time to consider what they can bring to fostering and how fostering will fit into their lives. It is important to do your research and to understand the commitment that you are making to the children and young people. With this in mind, it is equally important to us at Calon Cymru that our foster carers feel comfortable, confident, and supported to take on this work.

‘We looked at various agencies and local authorities, but something just felt right as soon as we spoke with someone from Calon Cymru, we felt comfortable straight away. We were listened to and felt that they were interested in us and that made us feel valued. There is always someone at the end of the phone at any time of day or night. Knowing this helps to put your mind at ease, just knowing that support is there if you need it. We have recommended Calon Cymru Fostering to numerous people. One couple we know has recently attended panel and have been approved as foster carers! That really does make us feel good!’

Whilst foster carers are approved based on what we believe they can bring to the care of vulnerable children and young people we appreciate that not everyone comes from a background in which they have been supported, guided, and trained to know how to deal with many of the things that would be required of you. That is why all Calon Cymru foster carers are supported with access to an extensive array of courses designed to support foster carers to be able to undertake everything from everyday tasks, such as reporting, to safety courses, such as safeguarding and first aid. For foster carers working with children with more complex needs, there are also specialised courses covering therapeutic care, parent and child placements and more.

‘We are provided with regular training opportunities, some of which can be completed online at home which is handy when we are very busy. Our trainer is very approachable and always makes sure we have the time to discuss important points but also has a great sense of humour which is always a great way to learn! As a nurse, I felt it was a big step to take, however, I shouldn't have worried so much! I have gained even more skills since starting my fostering career.’

As well as the extensive training available our carers benefit from around the clock support, frequent visits from a dedicated Supervising Social Worker, and local foster carer support groups.

‘We have regular contact with our supervising social worker and other members of the team. We also have support groups that enable carers to get together to share experiences, tips, and a listening ear, which can help to ease any worries we may have. If we ever need support or advice outside of what you would call ‘usual office hours’ there is always a duty social worker on the end of the phone.’

When we speak to our foster carers to describe their time in fostering there are nearly always the same two responses, it is challenging and it is so rewarding, and we can see that these two things go hand in hand. The children and young people in foster care have encountered potentially traumatic and usually unstable lives so it would be foolish to assume that this career would not come with its challenges, but it is in overcoming these challenges and seeing growth that our foster carers see the most reward.

‘No two days are the same! We love the challenge. We are always amazed to witness the changes in the children and how they progress and develop. To watch a child do something new for the first time never gets boring. We love making memories.’

We asked Rosie* what advice they would give to someone interested in becoming a foster carer and we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

‘Pick up the phone, make the call and speak to Calon Cymru, what do you have to lose? You would certainly have a lot to gain. [Make sure to] ask a lot of questions and don’t be afraid to ask anything, it is important to find out as much as you can, there is a lot to consider, however, staff at Calon Cymru will be supporting you every step of your journey.’

*Name changed to protect the identity of the foster carer, children and young people in their care