It's a 'privilege' says Oxfordshire foster carer
Samantha has been caring for children and young people for 14 years
Residents are being encouraged to consider becoming foster carers for Oxfordshire County Council in a campaign marking Foster Care Fortnight, 13 - 26 May 2024.
Samantha Allen, from Oxford, has been a foster carer for 14 years and is helping to raise awareness of what is involved and why the experience is so rewarding.
“There are so many fostering options,” explains Samantha. “I’ve been a parent/child foster carer for the past seven years, that’s when I support both the parent and their child, and I’ve done some emergency fostering in between. I love the happy endings, which come in many guises, such as seeing the children I’ve looked after maturing and growing in confidence as they prepare for life ahead.
“There are lots of other parts of the role that I love, things like watching the babies I have cared for develop and thrive and making them feel secure and loved. It’s also great witnessing children going onto their adopted parent or parents, and mums going home with their babies once they’ve completed a 12 week assessment with you.
“Sometimes new mums can’t see how well they’re doing. In these cases, I see it as my role to empower them, to boost their self-belief, and you can never praise enough, so what I do is just keep doing it and that way I gradually instil confidence.
“It’s wonderful to see them blossom, knowing that a mum has overcome her anxiety and she will cope as a mother. It’s so uplifting for me, and, of course, wonderful for the mum and child as they bond ever closer.”
Oxfordshire County Council provides foster carers like Samantha with lots of help, including access to a social worker and a host of other support services. The council aims to create a fostering community, a network where foster carers can seek assistance and guidance to help them make a positive difference to local children.