Every morning when I walk through the doors of the Sunbeam Fostering Agency, Croydon office, I already know one thing for sure; today will be filled with new challenges, emotional highs and lows, and a little chaos. But it will also be a day where I can make a real difference in the lives of looked after children and foster families. Every day, I wear many hats that of a mentor, advocate, coordinator, and most of all, a constant source of support for our foster carers and the children they care for.

My day kicks off by checking my calendar. There are Placement Planning meetings, Child Looked After Review meetings, Stability meetings, PEP meetings, Foster Carer Review meetings, Health & Safety visits, Unannounced visits, Home visits, piles of paperwork, and of course deadlines to meet. But here’s the thing; no matter how much I plan, I know things will inevitably change. The plan might be to go for a home visit, but a phone call might come in from a foster carer in distress, or a looked after child might act out, needing immediate attention. That’s the unpredictable nature of this job, and it’s exactly what makes it both challenging and rewarding because every unexpected moment is a chance to make a difference.

 My every meeting, every visit and every conversation I have is an opportunity to help improve someone’s life and that’s what makes my role at Sunbeam so incredibly special.

While staying on track is important, the real heart of my job is empathy. This isn’t just about ticking off tasks or managing cases; it’s about connecting with people, understanding their struggles, and offering the support they need in ways that go beyond the paperwork.

When I walk into a foster home for a visit, I don’t just think about what the child needs in terms of behavioural management or emotional support on paper. I think about the child as a person. What are they feeling today? What are their fears, their hopes, and their dreams? How can I make them feel safe enough to open up?

It’s the same with foster carers. Some days, they feel like they’ve got it all together like they’re managing, the young people are adjusting, and everything is smooth. Other days, they feel like they’re failing, like they’ve tried everything and nothing is working. On those tough days, I remind them they’re not alone. They’ve got a whole team of support, including me. It’s my job to offer guidance, lend an ear, and give reassurance because foster carers give so much of themselves, and they need to know they’re doing their best.

At the end of each day, it’s easy to feel like I’ve just been swimming through a storm of paperwork and crisis. There are days when nothing goes according to plan, when cases seem more difficult than expected, or when progress feels like it’s crawling at a snail’s pace. But then, there are those small moments those glimmers of hope that make everything worth it. Maybe, it’s watching a foster child begin to follow the household rules and expectations for the first time. Maybe, it’s seeing a foster carer finally feel confident in her role and approach things with new energy. Or maybe it’s hearing one of my colleagues say she feels supported. These moments of progress, no matter how small are what that reminds me why I chose this career in the first place.

 My every meeting, every visit and every conversation I have is an opportunity to help improve someone’s life and that’s what makes my role at Sunbeam so incredibly special.

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and would like to know about fostering, please click here or give us a call on 02087990930.

Written By- Roshni Mathew (Senior Supervising Social Worker)