When you are a foster carer looking after more than one child in care. each child will bring their own unique set of experiences, needs, and personality. Balancing these diverse needs while ensuring each child feels seen, heard, and valued is a delicate art. Erin, a seasoned foster carer with Origins Foster Care, shares her insights into how she navigates this balance, offering a glimpse into the daily rhythms and intentional strategies that foster individual connections and a sense of belonging.
Erin's approach underscores the importance of recognising and respecting the individual schedules and developmental stages of the children in her care. With one child in her care in secondary school and the other in primary school, Erin leverages their differing schedules to carve out one-on-one time with each child.
Once the elder girl is out the door, I'm able to spend time with the younger one... it worked out really well!
This dedicated time together in the mornings and afternoons allows for meaningful interactions, whether it's discussing the day ahead over breakfast or unwinding together after school.
It can't be understated how valuable carving out quality time together can be in building secure attachments and helping to heal the trauma that children in care may have experienced in the past. This individualised attention from a foster parent supports a child's emotional and social development, helping them to feel understood, important and valued.
Erin's practical approach to spending time with each child separately not only accommodates the children's differing schedules and needs but also nurtures their emotional well-being.
Erin's strategy extends beyond daily routines into school holidays and family outings. She emphasises the importance of making a conscious effort to interact with each child in a one on one environment, even if it's just taking them aside for a quick trip to the chemist.
The key takeaway here from Erin's experience is to get them one to one so you can get talking with them, show an interest in their lives and hopefully have a significant impact on the child's sense of being loved, safe, and cared for.
At Origins Foster Care, we understand the complexities of fostering children with diverse needs and backgrounds. Our support for foster carers includes training and resources that emphasise trauma-informed care, attachment-focused practices, and strategies for balancing the needs of multiple children in care. Our dedicated team of senior practitioners and social workers is always available to provide guidance, support, and encouragement to our foster families.
At Origins Foster Care, we're committed to empowering our foster carers with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to navigate these challenges and celebrate the joys of fostering.
Want to learn more about becoming a foster carer? Learn more about fostering here or apply online to become a foster carer to begin your fostering journey. Got questions that only a trained professional would know? Our dedicated team of fostering experts are here to help. Simply get in touch with us here and we can take it from there. Together, we can make a difference, one child at a time.
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
