You’ve probably heard the saying a thousand times, but it’s true – it really does take a village to raise a child.
Becoming a foster carer is life-changing, and having a support network isn’t just about having someone to call upon when you have an emergency. It’s about having people to share your journey with, from the practicalities of everyday life to the emotional highs and lows.
But what really is a support network? Why is it so important, and where do you start in building one of your very own? Join us to find out.
What is a support network?
Your support network is made up of the people you can rely on for practical and emotional support. They are your village, and the best villages are made up of people who can assist you in different ways, so you have all bases covered. They might include:
- Friends
- Family members
- Other foster carers
- Social workers
- Education co-ordinators
- Community groups
- Therapists
- Independent organisations like FosterTalk
- Trainers
- Short break foster carers
Why is building a support network important?
Whether you provide short-term, emergency or long-term foster care, the truth is that you’re going to face challenges on your fostering journey. You might think that you’ll be able to face them alone, but the reality is that even the most experienced foster carers need a helping hand from time to time.
Whether it’s a regular arrangement for someone to pick up your foster kids from school because you have to work late, someone to turn to if you’re facing a problem, or a safe person to vent to when things get too much, your community will lighten your load.
If you are a solo foster carer, your support network is even more important as you’ll have one less person to share your responsibilities with.
How to build a support network
When you become a foster carer with FCA Scotland, we will help you build a support network, surrounding you with a community that’ll meet the needs of you and the children in your care.
It will also take some effort on your part, so here are some tips to help you get started. To keep things simple, we’ve split your network into three categories: peer, personal, and professional, because each offers a different form of support.
Peer network
No one truly understands what it’s like to be a foster carer, unless, of course, they’re a foster carer themselves. That’s why, at FCA Scotland, we work hard to provide plenty of opportunities for you to connect with those who ‘get it’, and here’s how:
- Support groups: We organise regular support groups in your local community, allowing you to develop friendships with foster carers in your area.
- Training: Our training sessions are confidential, and during these, you’ll have the chance to share any challenges that you’re facing with foster carers from across the country.
- Carer buddies: Newly approved foster carers receive additional support from a carer buddy, an experienced foster carer who’ll help you find your feet.
- Activities and events: We host regular fun activities and events for the whole family to enjoy across our regions, which give you the chance to build connections in a relaxed and friendly environment.
- Short break foster carers: If you need a break from fostering to recuperate, our short break foster carers will care for your foster children, so you know they’re in safe hands.
Personal network
During your fostering assessment, we’ll help you identify friends and family members in your personal network who can provide both practical and emotional support.
This might include someone who can provide regular support by becoming your back-up foster carer. They’ll complete a mini fostering assessment and have background checks, which will allow them to help you with things like the school run, overnight stays, and regular care.
There might also be people in your personal network you only call in an emergency, and others you’ll talk to regularly, especially when you need a little pick-me-up. Your assessing social worker will make sure you know who these people are before you welcome a child home.
Professional network
At FCA Scotland, we make sure you have access to fostering specialists who’ll help you take care of your foster child’s entire well-being – we call this Team Parenting.
From joint therapy sessions and consultations with a therapist to school support from our education co-ordinator, we ensure you have people in your support network to call upon whenever needed.
Not only this, but you’ll also have regular supervision with your dedicated social worker, and our 24/7 helpline means there is always someone at the other end of the phone.
In addition to the support you receive from FCA Scotland, you’ll receive free membership to FosterTalk, an independent organisation that can offer you impartial advice and even more guidance.
Learn more about fostering today
Support networks are at the heart of fostering with FCA Scotland and help everyone in the fostering family thrive.
If you’d like to learn more about building your village or anything else about fostering, including the support our fostering community will provide along the way, call us on 0141 646 4805 or submit your details via our enquiry form.
Our knowledgeable and friendly team will answer your questions and help you get started on your fostering journey.
