Fostering teenagers can be a rewarding but challenging experience. Teenagers in foster care often have unique needs and face particular struggles due to their age and past experiences. At this stage in their life, they are seeking stability, nurture and understanding as they transition into adulthood. We spoke to with Nicky, who has fostered 44 young people so far.
fostering Teenagers
Fostering teenagers can be a rewarding but challenging experience. Teenagers in foster care often have unique needs and face particular struggles due to their age and past experiences. At this stage in their life, they are seeking stability, nurture and understanding as they transition into adulthood. We spoke to with Nicky, who has fostered 44 young people so far.
why foster teenagers?
Nicky had always thought about fostering but it wasn’t until she moved to Wales from London where she found herself in a larger house with spare bedrooms that she decided to do something about it.
Nicky, her husband and 18 year-old daughter were always keen on fostering teenagers as they felt they had a certain level of independence, and their house was more suitable for teenagers than younger children.
who can foster teenagers?
There are no qualifications to become a foster carer although learning and development courses are put in place for foster carers to equip you with the skills and knowledge to enrichen your knowledge of looking after a young person.
“I believe the same qualities as any parent are needed to foster teenagers; patience, resilient, empathy”.
Nicky’s daughter Cassidy says “Being part of a foster family has taught me that it doesn’t matter your background or the walk of life you come from but everyone deserves that chance and that opportunity.”
the challenges and rewards of fostering teenagers
Fostering teenagers requires patience, commitment and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people who need stability and support. While it can be demanding, the potential for positive change and personal growth makes it all worthwhile. “It’s been a rollercoaster, there have been exhilarating and some terrifying lows and there are stomach churning turns and twists, but you get to the end of each ride wanting more.”
“The rewards of fostering in general are knowing that you are making a difference, you are giving some stability, calm from the storm but with teenagers, you feel like you’re having a more direct impact on their adult life.”
advice to people thinking of fostering
“My advice to anyone thinking about fostering is to do it! Talk about it to your friends and family, other foster carers and people who don’t know about fostering. There are lots of different ways to foster and there will be something that suits you.”
Nicky like many foster carers keeps in touch with a number of young people that have walked through her door and holds an open-door policy for hot meals and a cwtch.
want to start your own fostering journey?
If reading this blog has encouraged you to think about becoming a foster carer, then we’d love to hear from you.
Living in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales? Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
If you live elsewhere in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
