Challenges Struggling Foster Carers Faced in Their First Year

Foster carers have unique challenges, most of which are evident in the first year of fostering. Here are some of the challenges that you should expect in your first year as a foster carer.

Interaction with birth family

Fostering is different from adoption because fostering involves contact with the child's birth family. This contact can be difficult for new foster carers to handle.

As a foster carer, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable position when mediating between your charge and their biological relatives. It can become even more complex if the fostered child is unwilling to meet the birth family. However, we advise you to contact us if you face this kind of challenge.

Adjusting to a new situation

In the first year of fostering, you are bound to feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a foster parent. You will have to keep records and attend meetings and tasks that might be new to you.

Challenging behaviour

It's possible to fostered a child with challenging behaviour. It's also possible that, as a foster carer, you may find yourself unsure how best to handle such a child.

We will help you manage any challenging behaviours your foster child displays by offering you support through our strategies and advice. Please get in touch with us if you are experiencing any difficulties.

Rules and regulation

The first year of fostering care can be challenging because of the rules and regulations set by the government. During your first year, you will feel that there are many things you must do.

Foster carers are expected to achieve their "Training, support and development (TSD) standards for fostering" within their first year.

The TSD Standards are guidelines for ensuring that foster carers receive relevant induction, training and support, and continued professional development.

It may be tricky to know if you are breaking any rules. If there is an unclear rule about fostering, get in touch with us.

Frequent appointments

When a child comes into your care, you will have to attend meetings to discuss the child's progress. Some foster parents find these meetings overwhelming; it can become hard for them when the child they are caring for constantly needs assessment.

Our ideal solution is to work closely with our social workers to clarify fostering in UK needs to reduce the need for appointments. However, where there is a need for you to attend a meeting, it is essential to do so to make the best decisions in the best interest of the foster child.

Saying goodbye

Fostering is different from adoption, so you will have to say goodbye at some point. It can be challenging for new foster carers.

Most foster carers become attached to the foster children they take care of. This can make it hard to say goodbye when the time comes for them to leave.

We recommend you start reflecting on this item as soon as the foster child comes to your home. We also want to remind you that the child will have to leave at some point.

Getting help

We're here to help you through the fostering process, so your first year can be happy and successful.

We will assign a social worker to help you learn more about fostering challenges and how to handle them.

Horizon Fostering Services is one of the leading Ofsted-approved and registered fostering agencies in the UK. Contact us at 0208 200 2355 or Visit our website at https://horizonfostering.co.uk/ to become a Foster Carer.

Horizon Fostering is one of the leading independent Ofsted-approved and registered fostering agencies in the UK. We are specialising in placing foster carers with children who need their support.