I have children – how will fostering affect them?
Having children yourself can be really helpful when it comes to understanding some of the challenges associated with fostering a child. It is important to remember that fostering a child or young person is likely to have an impact on everyone around you, especially your own family and friends.
Therefore, your decision whether to foster a child or not should involve your whole family as sharing your family home with a vulnerable child will no doubt affect them too. Your children will play an important role in welcoming your foster child into the home. They will help them to feel settled and valued within the family.
Finding time for your own children when fostering
It can be tricky for children to get used to sharing their parents. Foster children may have led very different lives and have different habits at home. However, many birth children find fostering an enriching experience which gives them a chance to feel purposeful and offer support in their own way.
The Kimmance family embarked on their fostering journey with the full support of every member of their household. They have two young daughters. You can hear more about their fostering experience here:
It is important to make time for your own children and ensure they still feel special to you. An age gap helps too. We always advise two years either way between your own children and the children and young people you foster.
How foster children are matched with your family
If your children are still living at home, their needs will be considered when we’re matching you with looked after children and young people. Your whole family will be supported throughout, We regularly organise events and activities throughout the year for everyone to enjoy together.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and finding out more about the support you can expect to receive from Diagrama Fostering download a fostering information brochure here. If you’d like to speak to member of our team, please call 0800 802 1910 during office hours.