A case study: the carers' perspective - Julia and Alan
Julia and Alan smiled at the girl in front of them as she
excitedly tore open the wrapping paper round her birthday present.
But when she got to the blue denim handbag inside, suddenly she
burst into tears. “What’s the matter?” Julia asked, putting an arm
around the 12-year-old as she sobbed.
At last she stopped crying, looked up and said: “I’ve never had
a birthday present before.” It was a moment that made Julia, 48,
feel more certain than ever that she was right to give up her
career as a bank manager to become a foster carer with Kent County
Council. It was a decision she took partly because she found she
was working all day and late into the evening six days a week. But,
thanks to friends who had been fostering for 20 years, she had also
seen the highs and lows at close quarters and had a really good
idea of what fostering was about. Alan, 52, a self-employed air
conditioning salesman, admits he was horrified by the idea at
first. The couple have no children of their own and their home at
Leybourne, is immaculate. But three years after they completed
their training and were approved by a panel, neither of them has
any regrets. They have looked after nine children since then –
giving the youngsters routine, stability, treats and the chance to
talk, run about, laugh and have fun.
“It is just about letting them be children, really,” says Julia.
“We get a lot out of it – seeing a child repair their relationship
with their family, with support from social services, so they can
go back home.” Kent County Council urgently needs more foster
carers in Tonbridge and Malling. Ann Allen, Kent County Council
Lead Member for Children and Families, said: “At the moment
children from Tonbridge and Malling are being sent to foster carers
in other parts of Kent far away from their friends, schools and
families. If we can keep them in their community, it will be easier
for them.”
For more information about becoming a foster carer for KCC,
contact the Initial Enquiries Team on 0845 330
2968.
Please view our other case
studies about fostering experiences.