Our foster carer Juno had previously been fostering with an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) and chose to transfer to Fostering Rotherham. Through our services, Juno has had new opportunities offered to her and the children in her care in their fostering journey.
The initial process
Juno was looking to transfer to another fostering provider in order to find better support for respite care, and was encouraged by friends who were already fostering for Rotherham to make the change. She tells us that the initial process was straight-forward and supportive.
“The package of support that I needed was agreed at the initial stage; this was a huge
incentive to move. When Rotherham agreed to my requests/conditions of transfer I felt
valued and listened to; this was the main reason I transferred.
I did not experience any issues at all during the recruitment stages. They were brilliant.”
New opportunities
Through transferring to Fostering Rotherham, Juno has been offered new opportunities for development and support throughout her fostering journey.
This includes:
● Training
● Support groups
● Further financial support
● The chance to join a mockingbird hub
Her initial concern of better support for respite care has also been resolved through our
services. “Rotherham are much more open to putting this in place to support the foster
carers” she tells us.
“The training and development opportunities are good in Rotherham. I have really enjoyed the NVR (non violent resistance) training, it was really ‘meaty’ and I learnt a lot from it.
"Being paid mileage is a big plus!”
A new sense of community
The main difference Juno cites from moving fostering providers is the sense of community she feels from being a part of Fostering Rotherham. “I enjoy working as part of a team – I feel valued and listened to” she says.
Through training and support groups offered through Fostering Rotherham, Juno has had the chance to meet other foster carers, particularly those that care for her children’s siblings. They regularly meet up for family time and give each other support and advice.
She has also felt the sense of community from our own team. “The communication is really good, I always feel that I can speak to someone which is important as a foster carer” she says.
“I am really pleased with the support I receive from my SSW, [and I] like that my SSW and the CSW work in the same building. This reassured me that professionals would be working closely together. There is always someone I can contact from the team for help or advice.”