Fostering & My Family
Enhancing family life for those who already have children
A child’s perspective on fostering
This short video is a great way to hear the views of some of our Swiis children who foster and how being part of a fostering family has transformed their lives as well as the ones warmly welcomed into their care.
FOSTER CARERS WHO HAD CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN WHEN THEY WERE APPROVED – FOSTERING NETWORK
Let them play their part
Young people who are part of a fostering family are very important! Fostering will affect your own children but should make a positive difference in their lives.
We believe that your children are crucial members of the fostering family. It is important to consider their views and feelings about your decision to become a carer. They need an opportunity of their own to find out about fostering and what it means for them.
All children and young people living within the family home will be included in the assessment process. Their input will form part of the assessment. This may be done on a 1-to-1 basis or involvement in a workshop.
Swiis is here to help
There for your family when you start to consider fostering
All children and young people living within the family home will be included in the assessment process. Their input will form part of the assessment. This may be done on a 1-to-1 basis or involvement in a workshop.
Our workshop allows topics and themes relating to fostering to be explored in a safe and fun manner. The workshop and content was developed and designed in consultation with children and young people who have been involved in fostering within their family and Swiis. As a result, we have a valuable insight into not only what fostering means to them, but also how best to support them in their roles.
Looking after ‘Children who foster’
We appreciate that being part of a fostering family can have ‘ups and downs’. Sometimes children and young people within a foster family need advice on how to cope with certain difficult situations. Therefore, we want to make sure that your children enjoy the rewards of being part of a foster family and that they can also deal with things when they are finding times tough. These young people need to have a voice and should be listened to.
Each office has a ‘Children Who Foster’ (CWF) group. This provides an opportunity to meet up with other children whose families foster, with support from our team.
The CWF group gives them a chance to talk about what fostering is like for them. It also gives them a chance to take part in lots of activities, like wall climbing, go-karting and even residential trips.