Meet Claire and Chris …

Claire and Chris have just completed their preparation training with Tree House Care and have been approved as foster carers! We asked them about their motivations for becoming foster carers and how they’ve found the application process.
What made you want to start fostering?
We were motivated to start our fostering journey as this was something we had always wanted to do since we had got married. Previously, it wasn’t the right time due to lack of space in our home as well as having our own children who needed supporting through their journey into adulthood. We wanted the opportunity to provide a loving and caring environment and stable home for children who needed it and we felt that now was the best time for us to be able to provide this.
What was the process like from considering fostering to becoming approved?
As soon as we had decided to start our fostering journey, we contacted Tree House due to a recommendation from a friend who was also fostering there. They responded really quickly, and a visit to our home was organised to discuss the whole process. We were then registered onto a ‘Prep to Foster’ course, as well as other courses to make sure we were ready and comfortable to progress. We were supported by an assessor throughout the process, who went through all our details and made sure we were suitable candidates. We were able to contact them whenever we needed support, and this made the process easier.
How has your experience been so far with fostering?
Our fostering journey so far has been a very positive one. Once we were accepted to become foster carers, we were allocated a social worker, who has been very supportive and able to answer any questions which have arisen. They visit us twice a month to make sure that everything is still running smoothly and to answer any additional questions. We have been approached to care for a number of children, and have been able to proceed forwards with two of these, so we’re just waiting to see how it progresses.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming our first foster child into the home and to help them to grow and progress as an individual, providing them a nurturing environment where they can thrive. ”
What do you think are the most important qualities a foster carer needs to have?
We believe that we have a very caring nature and can express this when it comes to others around us. This is something which we believe is very important when it comes to being a foster carer as you need to be able to provide a caring and nurturing environment for any foster children you will be welcoming into your home. It also helps to have a good and detailed understanding of different stages of child’s development as well as the diverse needs which children may have. This is something which we have both done lots of reading up on to make sure we can provide the best care. We believe that we are very empathetic, and this is a key quality needed if considering fostering.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with people considering becoming foster carers?
We would encourage anyone who is thinking about starting their foster care journey to just make that leap and go for it. You can even become emergency or respite foster carers and make a huge difference. We believe that this is a really rewarding thing to do and even if you only help one child, you really are making a difference to these children’s lives. Even if you have the smallest of doubts, speak to some one at Tree House who can give you support and information. It is the best decision we have ever made.