Foster carer Kelly told us that transferring to Fostering Rotherham from an IFA
(Independent Fostering Agency) was the “best thing I ever did!” Read on to hear
Kelly’s story.
A fostering family
Foster carer Kelly comes from a family of foster carers! She was fostering with an
independent fostering agency (IFA) but after some time decided to transfer to Rotherham because she “did not feel supported at the IFA”. Kelly was inspired by one of her family
members transferring to Rotherham first. She explained that “my family member
returned to Rotherham and shared with me the many positives of fostering for
Rotherham, which helped me make the decision to leave.”
At Fostering Rotherham we’re proud of the extensive, personalised support we offer all ofour carers, this includes a dedicated social worker and home match team.
Kelly told us that “the support available is one of the main reasons I transferred and why I feel very happy about fostering for Rotherham. My SSW (Supervising Social Worker)
Martha is brilliant. She is always there if I need her.”
Smooth transfer
Kelly said that the transfer process went smoothly and that it “couldn’t have been any
better”. Kelly “felt listened to and valued by the recruitment team” and told us that she
“did not find the process of transferring stressful at all.”
Kelly went on to explain that “the advice and support from the staff during the process oftransferring to Rotherham was reassuring and changed the way I was feeling about
fostering for the better”.
“The training offer in Rotherham is excellent.”
At Fostering Rotherham we support all our foster carers to identify areas for learning anddevelopment and offer a range of training courses. Kelly has been really impressed with
Rotherham’s training opportunities and told us “I am enjoying the training and it is
helping me be a better foster carer.”
Fostering Rotherham also runs a variety of monthly support groups which enable our
foster carers to develop their skills, seek advice and make friends. Kelly regularly attends
the Rotherham support groups and forums and now feels “part of a community, unlike
when I worked for the IFA.”
Kelly is “completely happy” with her decision to move to Rotherham. In fact, she told us
that her transfer to Rotherham is “the best decision I have made”. Kelly said “I cannot
compare the level of support, professionalism and sense of community with the IFA -fostering for Rotherham is great.”