Leeds City Council are responsible for meeting the care needs of around 1,300 children and young people. The greater majority of this number are looked after by foster carers in Leeds. Fostering is essential in ensuring children are cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating environment, providing reassurance and support in a family setting.
It is important to recognise that the vast majority of children who need fostering will have experienced difficult backgrounds, including abuse and neglect. Children can exhibit distress, confusion and a range of behavioural and emotional problems, some of which can be unfamiliar to even experienced parents.
Fostering can be demanding – as well as rewarding and fun, but we believe it is essential to work closely together to help people make a success of what is, at times, a challenging commitment.
We need people to be enthusiastic and committed to fostering but it also important to be realistic about what you feel you are able to offer. We will be able to advise you on a range of issues which may need further discussion, but as a starting point, there are certain things at this stage which are helpful to think about before proceeding further. For example:
- Have you enough space, particularly bedroom space? We are increasingly needing carer households with separate bedroom space
- If you have children, how old are they? To start a fostering commitment, we need to place fostered children younger than those already in your household.
- What are you own children like? Are they happy to share – you, their space, friends and family?
- Consider your lifestyle and other commitments. Are you / your family adaptable to meeting the extra demands of fostering? Fostering will prompt big changes in your lifestyle and routine.
- If you are in a relationship, are you both equally committed to fostering?
- What personal qualities do you feel you have to offer? Fostering requires flexibility, patience, resourcefulness and a sense of humour!
- Is this the right time to start fostering? It might not be appropriate to foster if you or your family are subject to important changes in your life.
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