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Male Foster Carer Profile

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MALE FOSTER CARER PROFILE

At Sunbeam Fostering Agency we recruit foster carers from a wide range of backgrounds, races, religions and sexual orientations. We encourage people from all backgrounds including those who are male or single males to become foster carers and aim to dispel any misconceptions surrounding fostering.Sunbeam profiles one of our foster carers and how his honest experiences can inspire others to foster.R.S. is aged 32, lives in London and is a Foster Carer with Sunbeam Fostering Agency.

What is it like to be a single male foster carer?
Being a single male foster carer is no doubt, more challenging, but as a male carer, I feel that I can play a vital role in caring for a child where there is no male role model, and the child is being raised in a single parent environment. A male carer can be a vital mentor to a child in my experience.
What made you decide to become a foster carer?
I always wanted to help look after children who really need care, so fostering gave me that opportunity to look after children in need.
What strengths have helped you as a foster carer?
My ability to handle any challenge without losing my temper. My communication ability with the different professionals involved in care; and my ability to understand a child needs.
What would you recommend to people interested in becoming foster carers?
I would always encourage other people to adopt this profession, because this is the most satisfying and fulfilling job one can do! However because of the challenging nature of this profession, I would recommend that people attend as many as training they can. Also remain calm in any challenging situations. Working as a team is the key to success.
How long have you been a foster carer?
I have been a single foster carer since January 2010, it has been more than 4 years.
What has been your experience of fostering?
My experience of fostering is excellent. I am fostering 3 teenagers and with the support network around me, in particular for this role, it has become lot easier to overcome any challenges.
How has the experience enriched/changed your life?
Since I have become a foster carer, I’ve become a stronger individual, especially in terms of handling challenging behavior. My views towards life have become more positive, because I see that I can make a positive change in a child’s life, especially children who really need my support. Seeing some children improving in your care gives you inner satisfaction.
How have you coped financially and emotionally?
Because I am a very calm and patient person by nature, it is a lot easier to understand a child’s emotional needs. Keeping records of all spending is very important, so that there are no allegations being put forward by any child, against you, in terms of finances. On time payments from Sunbeam Fostering Agency every month gives you better control of your finances.

HOW HAS SUNBEAM SUPPORTED YOU?

Sunbeam has supported me in many ways.

Visits by my supervising social worker every month helps a lot in terms of sharing my views.
Trainings provided by Sunbeam helped me a lot to enhance my ability when handling any challenging behaviour.
Support groups arranged by Sunbeam allow me to share experiences with other foster carers.
The ‘Meet the manager’ program has allowed me to share any issue I have directly with managers and Sunbeam directors.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO OTHERS CONSIDERING BECOMING A FOSTER CARER?

I would recommend to others to be open minded, because every child is an individual, and one has to be ready to manage any challenging behaviour they may display, because of a difficult childhood. Be patient, and always try to communicate with the child no matter what the situation is. Put your ego to one side, and think of child’s welfare. One has to learn how to say goodbye because this is a very emotional profession. Children do get attached to you and it is very hard to see them going from your placement.

Any good experiences you would like to share?

Fortunately all my experiences are good since I have started fostering! One of my foster children was very interested to becoming a mechanic. Seeing that potential in him, I encouraged him to do a vocational course to become mechanic. He left fostering after the age of 18, but kept in touch with me. I tried my best to guide him on how to achieve his goal, and now he is a fully qualified mechanic, earning a good income. Whenever he sees me, he always says ‘thank you’, and respects me which makes me very happy!

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    What foster carers are saying about us!

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    This job is probably one of my favourites. Every day is different, every day has new challenges and every day has new rewards. It’s not always easy but each challenge you go through with the child bonds you and makes you both stronger for each other.

    We have been fostering for the last 8 years and feel proud to be a part of the Sunbeam family. At the beginning, we thought it’s a tough job, but the skills to foster initial training and the whole assessment procedure to become a carer was interesting, and it gave us both a broad insight into both the tough and rewarding side of what we were likely to encounter.

    Hannah and Kashif

    “Fostering is a rewarding experience as it allows you to actually make a difference for a child/young person. I feel happy being able to make such a difference whether it is for one day or several years.”

    Asma

    “When they told me that I had been approved for fostering, well I just cried. I was an emotional wreck and was so happy that I just couldn’t hold back my very, very, happy tears.”

    Karen Thorn

    I have grown both professionally and personally at Sunbeam.am very grateful for that, as fostering is my passion, and my job allows me to use my skills whilst doing what I love.

     

    All the staff at sunbeam are friendly and helpful , I truly feel like we are all a family and its nice when we all get together when celebrating foster carers and children’s achievements as it shows off everyone’s hard work.

     

    It’s a great place to work. All the managers are super helpful and are always looking after their team. I have grown a lot at this agency.

     

    Working for Sunbeam has been very fulfilling for me. As I get to work for the community and get a chance to make a difference as child welfare is at the core value of this agency.

    Sunbeam Staff

    I have been in placement with my foster carers for 11 years. Sunbeam placed me with foster carers who have always treated me like a family member. Sunbeam has also been very supportive throughout all these years

     

    Fostering changes life, I have experienced this first-hand. My foster carers have been very supportive of me and my siblings. They keep us motivated to do good in our studies and always stay involve.

     

    Sunbeam organises many fun and informative days out for us regularly. We recently went to the University of Cambridge and attended their seminar on ‘Realise’ program for care leavers. I am really thankful to Sunbeam for organising this trip.

    Foster Children

    Children and carers receive practical and therapeutic support from the agency and enjoy regular social occasions to relax, enjoy and celebrate alongside staff and managers.

    “All children make good progress within this agency, in all areas of their lives. They benefit from committed and dedicated foster carers who are effectively trained, and supported to meet the individual needs of children”.

    Staff and foster carers alike referred to the agency as being like a ‘family’ when describing their experiences. The registered manager consults well with carers and staff, incorporating their views when monitoring the quality of care provided to children. The registered manager has good audit systems in place and maintains good oversight of practice.

    “The agency delivers a consistently good quality of care to foster carers and children. Management and staff support carers and children in ways that exceed what they might expect. Foster carers spoke about the flexibility, motivation and wide ranging support they receive from the agency”.

    OFSTED

    We love to work with children and are really happy with the support that we are getting from Sunbeam. Our social worker is wonderful, we couldn’t have done it without her.

    We are very happy with the support that we are getting from Sunbeam Fostering. We are provided with many interesting trainings and support group throughout the year which help us immensely.

    Sunbeam Fostering Agency is one of the largest independent fostering agencies in the UK. We welcome foster carers from a diverse range of backgrounds and all ages.

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