
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a foster carer is like?
Ian is a foster carer who has two foster children along with the two children he had with his wife.
He took over Bedford Borough Council’s X account (formerly known as Twitter) for one day on Monday to show what an average day is like for their family. His first post came just before breakfast and the school run (as well as making coffee for his wife!), and the last shortly before bed.
As he explained mid-morning; “My wife and I were very lucky to have the space in our home, space in our hearts and we both had been independently thinking about fostering and that was it.
“We have now been fostering for 11 years!”
And that began a series of posts and videos, where he talked through his day, from the morning school run, to work, and dinner with the family, followed by homework and winding down in the evening. Or as he put it; “Just a normal day, dealing with normal young people, doing normal stuff.”
Midway through the day he also explained how the process of becoming foster parents worked for him and his wife, including timescales and how to find out more.
In one video, Ian paid tribute to supporting social worker Natalie De Vernon who he described as “the best” whilst explaining how she provides support to the entire family, ahead of their meeting later that day.
And he also bust a series of myths, with posts explaining that you can foster even if you work full-time, that your sexual orientation has no impact upon your ability to foster, and that you do not need to own your home to foster.
Ian said; “I look back 11 years ago to when my wife and I made that first phone call to Bedford Borough when we enquired about becoming carers.
“A lovely social worker popped by, answered lots and lots of questions; we popped down to an open evening, met other carers, talked to other social workers. Fast forward 11 years, and here we are – it’s been an amazing journey.
“We’ve been very lucky to be supported so well by Bedford Borough. We’ve worked with some amazing social workers and have had some really positive experiences with many young people. It’s been a wonderful journey for us.”
Bedford Borough Council will hold its next two fostering information evening online, on Tuesday 28 May from 7pm, and Tuesday 25 June from 7pm.
You can book your place by emailing fostering@bedford.gov.uk or by calling on 01234 718 718.
You can also find out more on the fostering Facebook and Instagram pages by searching @BedfordFostering.