My experience of being part of a fostering family

Young person, Ethan visited FCA Central Services with his mum who has been fostering with FCA for over five years. Whilst here, he wrote a blog about his experience of being part of a fostering family.

Hi, my name is Ethan, I am 18, a keen mountain biker and enjoy going to the gym. My mum has been a foster parent with FCA South Western for four and half years. I have always known my mum wanted to be a foster parent as she likes looking after people.
When I am older I want to be a foster parent or do something in this area such as social work or support work. I like to see the positive impact and how this changes young people’s lives for the better.

In 2013, our first unaccompanied asylum-seeking foster young person came to live with us, he was 16 years old. It was quite awkward at first as I didn’t know what to say, so rather than sit down and talk we played games on the computer. In the beginning, he only spoke limited English so there was a translator to explain and help. Over time he learned more English and we could communicate more easily. He lived with us for two years and we are still in contact briefly as he is so busy working. My advice to a birth child when you meet your foster brother /sister for the first time do an activity rather than sit down and talk as this breaks the ice.

My perception of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children has changed. The young people that come to the UK are not just here for jobs, health care and benefits they have no choice, and if they are they have been sent by their parents. The media exaggerates the truth. In my opinion, the young people that lived with us would rather be at home with their own families. But as fostering family we do the best we can to make them feel comfortable and cared for.

I would like to set up a group for birth children who are part fostering families. I don’t really have any contact with young people in the same situation so it would be good to meet and make a network to chat and offer help and support. I am hoping to do this soon.

Find out more about fostering for sanctuary-seeking children or call us on 0800 023 4561