Hampshire County Council’s specialist respite care service has been rebranded as Home from Home. We’re looking for Home from Home foster carers who can support families with children with complex and additional needs. Lauren is 63 and has been a Home from Home foster carer with Hampshire County Council for 25 years. She told us:
“I’ve always loved looking after children. I finished my nursery nurse training and started working in childcare, and then residential children’s homes. I wasn’t married and didn’t have any children of my own so when I saw an advert for a family link carer (now known as a Home from Home care) I was interested in finding out more. I had a spare room and knew I had the skills needed to take on the role. There was also a real need for foster carers, so I decided to give it a go and here I am 25 years later!
I was registered to care for three children and have often taken in two at a time as that dynamic seemed to work well over the years. I tend to provide respite care for younger children, from the age of four or five, in long-term placements until they reach the age of 18 when they then move into residential care or live at home and visit day centres.
At the start of a new placement, I like to visit a child in their home, where they feel most comfortable, as they get to know me. Then I suggest they visit my house with their parents for a short time, to familiarise themselves with the surroundings. Eventually, after a few visits, they come and stay overnight.
I do many of the same activities a child would do with their own families, we go swimming, do some cooking, perhaps pop out for some shopping or to a café (for a bit of people watching!) and it’s nice to visit friends too.
Many of the children I’ve cared for have had complex needs including autism, Down’s syndrome and Angelman syndrome. I feel that by providing respite care, the parents of those children have a chance to take a breather and recover from the daily stresses of looking after a child with specialist needs. It also gives them the opportunity to do activities with their other children, as so often a lot of their time is dedicated to the child with additional needs.
At the moment I look after a little girl for three nights a week. Owing to her particular needs, I look after her with a friend of mine and that works well for us. I’m coming to the end of my time as a foster carer but hope to be able to continue to care for Amy* until she’s 18.
Although there are no formal qualifications required to become a foster carer, patience and a caring nature are key to forming good bonds and understanding and empathy are great traits to have!
If you’re thinking about becoming a Home from Home carer, providing respite care for children with complex needs, my advice would be to give it go but build up gradually, so you get a sense of whether it’s a good fit for both you and the child you’re looking after.
I have really enjoyed looking after different children over the years. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be able to care for these children and help parents at a time they need it most. Not everyone feels comfortable using respite care facilities and the Home from Home care service provides another option.” Click here to learn more about the different types of foster care.
*Name has been changed.