Free Fostering Application Service.
Finding You The Best Agency.
At Simply Fostering we are using our free agency matching service to pair prospective foster carers in Surrey with an agency that best suits their needs.
Becoming a foster carer is an extremely rewarding career. Through providing a troubled child with a stable and nurturing environment you can transform their lives. Some children will come from disrupted and abusive backgrounds. To be able to offer love and safety to neglected young people is one of the most rewarding aspects of foster care. Being a foster carer can at times be challenging. However, the satisfaction that comes from overcoming these challenges is the ultimate reward for foster carers.
The skills needed to become a foster parent.
- Good communication skills.
Good communication skills are essential for successful foster carers. Through good communication, you will build a relationship with the child in your care. As a foster carer, you are also working as part of a team. It is important to be able to communicate efficiently with social workers to provide the best care possible for a foster child. - Patience.
Being a foster carer can be challenging. Each situation is unique. Some children will have behavioural issues which make being a caregiver problematic. In these situations, it is important to be patient. Foster care is a process and it does not happen overnight. - A strong support network.
Through these challenging periods, it is enormously beneficial to have a strong support network to rely on. A support network can be both professional and personal. From a professional perspective, the right support can give you constructive advice. Whereas personal support can give you respite and compassion.
• Management skills.
This is particularly prevalent if you are balancing being a foster parent with a full-time job or children of your own. Being a foster parent demands a lot of your time. It is also often compulsory to attend training classes and courses. To avoid becoming overwhelmed it is important to be able to manage your time efficiently.
Becoming a foster carer is a challenging endeavour. It is a great responsibility to be taking on such a formative role in a child’s life. It is recommended that before applying you independently assess your own suitability for the role.
The Simply Fostering Application Service.
Applying to become a foster parent can be a complicated process. At Simply Fostering we aim to make this process as simple as possible. Through our free agency matching service, we will pair you with the most suitable fostering agencies in Surrey. This service is completely obligation-free.
To find out more and to take the next step towards a career as a foster carer, use our no obligation, free agency matching service by completing our online fostering eligibility quiz, and get fostering right the first time!
Remember to request your free copy of our Foster Care Handbook. The Foster Care Handbook is a comprehensive guide to fostering in the UK.
Surrey population and demography.
Surrey borders Kent to the east, Sussex to the south, Hampshire to the west, and Berkshire to the north. In 2016 the population of Surrey was estimated to be 1,176,500 making it one of the largest counties in England. The largest town is Guildford with a population of 66,773. A recent study reported that there is an average of 826 looked after children in Surrey. 77% of these children are in foster care. Surrey has also seen a significant increase in Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) since 2013.
According to the same study Surrey has seen a significant increase in the number of foster placements since 2013. It also admits that Surrey has a shortfall of foster carers. Particularly for teenagers, sibling groups, and UASC. In 2014-15 the number of enquiries into foster care fell by 66% from 2011-12 figures.
