Fostering Children with Additional Needs: "You don't need to be an expert, just prepared to learn"

Wiltshire Council is encouraging more people to consider fostering children with additional needs, as it looks to recruit carers who can provide loving, stable homes for some of the county's most vulnerable young people.

"If you're prepared to learn and prepared to be an advocate, then I would say it is a great job for you."

That's the message from Cheralyn, who, alongside her husband Steve, has spent the past 28 years fostering children and young people with additional needs.

During that time, the couple have cared for around 30 children and young people through a combination of long-term fostering, short breaks and permanent care arrangements, including adopting two children.

Cheralyn's fostering journey began when she agreed to help care for a non-verbal child with autism through a shared-care arrangement. What started as weekend and holiday support grew into full-time care and marked the beginning of nearly three decades of fostering. 

Reflecting on her experience, Cheralyn said:

"A child who is verbal can be constantly asking you the same question or a child who is nonverbal then you have to guess what they need. We have two children at the moment who are non-verbal and use wheelchairs so there is a lot of medication, pad changing and repositioning and feeding. The children give a lot by the look they give you. It’s not massive as children who will not openly say they love you but tiny things. For Steve and I, it has given us a real heart for these children, and we want to see them have the best normal life and do the activities that every other child does. We’ve tried to make this possible."

While fostering a child with additional needs can be demanding, Cheralyn says people should not be put off if they don't have previous experience.

She said:

"No one's qualified for any child that walks through your door. We've learnt a lot of skills about autism, medication, food, handling and challenging behaviours over the years, but it was all new to us when we first started... You have to tune into where the child is at and be prepared to learn on the job."

Cheralyn says the support and training provided through Wiltshire Council has played a key role in helping her family throughout their fostering journey, including specialist training and ongoing support from social workers. 

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services said:

“Our foster carers are such amazing people who make a huge difference to our young people’s lives. They listen, they support, and they help children and young people grow in confidence, enjoy new experiences and achieve things they may never have thought possible.

“There will be people who may be thinking about fostering and if they can do it. My message to you is simple - please get in touch and find out more and we can go from there.

“Cheralyn’s story also shows something very important, the key thing for looking after a child with additional needs is having that space in your heart and home to care. The training, the support will be provided for you. It won’t be easy, it will be hard at times but those smiles, those small recognitions from those you care for – that’s what our foster carers say makes it all worthwhile. If you think you could make a difference, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.”

Foster carers receive comprehensive training before welcoming a child into their home, along with ongoing support from experienced fostering professionals. Specialist training is also available to help carers develop the skills and confidence needed to support children with additional needs.

Foster carers also receive a weekly allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child depending on your experience and the child's needs. Those caring for children with additional or complex needs may also be eligible for enhanced payments and additional support, depending on the child's circumstances. 

More information on becoming a foster carer for your local council can be found at Fostering South West, or you can speak directly to a member of the recruitment team via 0300 456 0120, or info@fosterwithyourlocalcouncil.org.uk.