Plymouth foster carer who is transforming youngster's lives says it's "hugely rewarding"

A Plymouth foster carer is urging others to step up and help transform the lives of vulnerable young people.

Shaina Johnson welcomed her first foster child seven years ago after signing up with her first agency.

From the age of 15 she was working in retail and trained as a florist, she never knew that 48 years on she would be caring for vulnerable teenagers.

Shaina made the decision to become a foster carer after noticing that many young people seemed to turn to her with their difficulties, and she said found it hugely rewarding to help guide them onto more positive paths:

“After so many years in retail management, employing and meeting people from all walks of life, you get to know people.

“One day in my shop, I found myself having a frank talk with a known shoplifter, who poured out his troubles to me.

“I've always had a very open relationship with my own sons, who are comfortable coming to me with any difficulties - so for me it is natural to be non-judgmental and avoid labelling people.

“Once you dig beneath the surface and find out the reasons behind their behaviour, you can start to understand and help.

“Further down the line I ended up employing this young man and this helped to break the negative cycle he was trapped in.”

Shaina is now working with Pathway Care Fostering, where she receives ongoing training and wraparound support.

She is currently providing long-term foster care to a 15-year-old boy who had been in a series of placements that had not worked out.

Shaina says since joining her family he has “come on in leaps and bounds”:

“This young man had been through a traumatic childhood, and his language impairment made it hard for him to understand and express many things.

“He had developed 'challenging behaviour' as a way of processing his emotions and negative experiences.

“He is so different now. The biggest change is in his attitude towards school - he has gone from being a 'school refuser' to becoming a pupil with almost 100% attendance who is settled in friendship groups.”

Shaina says the best thing about fostering is watching young people flourish.

She hopes other people will find inspiration from her story and consider becoming a foster carer themselves.