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How To Prepare To Be A Foster Parent

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So, you’re hoping to become a foster parent. That’s amazing! Before you welcome a child into your home, though, it’s imperative that the right preparations are made.

foster parent

The total number of looked after children in the UK has increased every year since 2010, and the Match Foster Care Agency helps connect prospective foster carers to children in the midlands, Staffordshire, and beyond. Here are some of the key steps you should include in your planning phases.

Learn About The Fostering Process

Understanding the process of fostering a child is important for many reasons. It streamlines the process, ensures that the arrangement is suitable for your family, and keeps stress to a minimum. Better still, the self-assurance you’ll gain will make the transition far easier for the child you foster.

While Match Foster Care Agency can guide you through the process, you should do the following;

  • Confirm that you are a suitable candidate for fostering a child,
  • Familiarise yourself with the different types of fostering in the UK,
  • Research the application process and expected timeframes.

Prepare for the Changing Family Dynamics

Fostering a child has many benefits but is important to acknowledge the impact it will have on the family dynamic. The fact that there are almost 50,000 happy foster care households in the country shows that the positives do outweigh the negatives. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the following;

  • Some friends and relatives may disagree with your decision,
  • Fostering can have an impact on your marriage,
  • Accepting a foster sibling can be tough on your birth children.

As long as you have honest conversations as a family before making your decision, you can expect a smooth process followed by the benefits of fostering.

Focus on Communication

Here at the Match Foster Care Agency, we are fully committed to promoting clear communication between foster children and their new families. For starters, we take pride in supporting foster parents like you throughout the process, starting from the assessment phase.

However, you also need to promote clear communication to help your foster child settle into the new family dynamic. Some key steps include;

  • Learn as much about the child as possible by reading the referral in detail,
  • Create a family book so that they can learn as much about the family as they need,
  • Form friendships with other foster families so that your family doesn’t feel alone.

Create a Welcoming Environment

Whether it’s a short-term fostering placement or a long-term agreement, your foster child needs to feel comfortable in the new surroundings. While establishing strong bonds on a human level is vital, you must not overlook the importance of a winning home setting. Simple steps to achieve this include;

  • Creating a neutral bedroom that they can subsequently personalise,
  • Provide a welcome gift that is based on their favourite hobby or passion,
  • Ensure that you have plenty of food and drink in the home.

A foster placement kit, including toiletries and other essentials, should be ready in the home too because the child may enter your home on the same day that you get the call.

Work with a Reputable Care Agency

Finally, the entire fostering process becomes easier to navigate with a winning team on your side. Contact Match Foster Care Agency to learn more about starting a new and rewarding chapter today.