Sponsored Editorial: Produced in association with Kent County Council

When considering becoming a foster carer it is important to think about how such a decision may impact your children.

Although fostering brings many rewards, Kent Fostering is keen to give the sons and daughters of foster carers a voice throughout the entire process, supporting the whole family to prepare for the changes in all their lives and be there to help each family member throughout their fostering journey.

There are many foster carers within Kent Fostering who provide care whilst having birth children living in their family home.

Naturally, it can present challenges when bringing a new child into the home environment, however, Kent Fostering recognises that successful fostering outcomes will also somewhat depend upon the quality of support being given to the birth children.

Challenges sometimes faced can include sharing (including both belongings, as well as a parent's time and affection,) increased responsibility and somewhat higher expectations from parents.

However, the benefits of living with foster children can also create a level of awareness of the difficulties other children can face, a greater level of maturity and compassion as well as enhancing social understanding, empathy and important social and life skills that prepare children for adulthood.

Children of foster carers play a key role within a fostering family and should be included at all stages of the fostering process, including being part of the decision to foster. As part of your assessment, the assessing social worker will meet all children and young people within your family, so that they can discuss their thoughts and feelings, worries or reservations, before the family begins fostering.

After this the Fostering Service ensures that birth children are recognised and supported as active caregivers and that their feelings and thoughts are reviewed regularly to ensure that the experience of fostering is a happy and positive one.

If you are considering becoming a foster carer and have your own children living at home, Kent Fostering will carefully consider their needs when matching you with a child and/or young person.

Kent Fostering’s dedicated team expertly match Kent’s children and young people with Foster Carers who have the skills, experience and circumstances required to meet the needs of the child or young person in their care; including taking into account their own children’s needs and wants.

Children of foster carers within the Kent Fostering service also have access to the Children Who Care Council, a group exclusively for sons and daughters of foster carers.

Andrea Wood, Participation Support Officer, said: “The Children Who Care Council provides opportunities for children within families that foster, to share their points of view and experiences of fostering, which also helps improve our service.

"The council meets during school holidays and allows these children to buddy up with children from other fostering families, so that they can make friendships with others who understand about fostering.

"More recently we have been working with the children to build personal profiles that will share a snapshot of themselves that can then be given to a new foster child when they arrive to live with them.

"The council group has also been working to produce a ‘hints and tips’ guide for families who are considering fostering.”

The fostering service also recognises and supports Sons and Daughters Month every October - a UK-wide campaign to celebrate the significant contribution of children of foster carers to successful foster care. The service recognises the vital role sons and daughters of foster carers can play in the success of fostering placements.

Kent Fostering regularly organises dedicated activities for birth children where they can meet other children who are also part of a fostering family. As well as specialist support and guidance for children and young people who foster, there are also opportunities for birth children over the age of 18 to attend training and/or support groups.

Nicola Anthony, Head of Fostering for Kent Fostering, said: “The decision to become a foster carer is complex and is one that will impact not only you as an individual or couple, but also your children, extended family and friends. By opening your home, you are asking a stranger to join your family and one that you may not know much about prior to their arrival.

"As a foster carer, it is important to involve your family in the initial fostering process and throughout, asking for your own children’s opinions and involving them in the wider family discussions..

"Birth children play a vital role in helping foster children adjust to their new environment. They can become a mentor-figure or a surrogate sibling, helping a foster child to settle into their new home and school and make new friends.We often see sons and daughters go on to become foster carers themselves or enter caring professions."

To find out more about Kent Fostering and how you could become a foster carer, call 03000 420002 or visit www.kentfostering.co.uk for more information.