Caroline and Kennys fostering story
“Kids don’t fit neatly in the boxes that society wants them in” Caroline and Kenny tell their fostering story and how they have never looked back.
Former care manager Caroline and NHS logistics driver, Kenny became foster carers in July 2018 after Caroline was feeling dissatisfied with her organisation's leadership.
After seeing an advert about care and having a chat with Kenny, Caroline decided that she was ready for a new challenge and contacted Fostering People. Within two days, staff from Fostering People had met with the couple and the rest is history.
Caroline said: “I think it’s the best thing ever. I often just think to myself I don’t know why I didn’t think about it sooner. Still loving it, and him, five years on.”
The latest statistics show that there are currently more than 12,500 looked-after children in Scotland*. Fostering People is always recruiting foster carers to provide a safe, supportive and loving home for children and young people.
Balancing work with fostering
Kenny and Caroline have learned the key to balancing work with supporting a young person. Kenny was a bus driver for 20 years before deciding that it was not offering enough time to spend with Caroline and his foster children.
Now his Monday to Friday role allows him to support Caroline during busy weekends and in the mornings to help the family start their day successfully.
James’** journey
When James arrived to live with Caroline and Kenny, he was a shy, timid little boy, aged just seven years old.
He had moved from household to household and hadn’t had much affection in previous foster homes. James’ early trauma had resulted in some issues such as bedwetting and an apprehension around physical closeness.
Now with love and security from Kenny and Caroline, James is achieving highly at school and is an established football player, no longer wets the bed and now you’ll even find him cosying down to watch TV with his feet up on Kenny. To Caroline and Kenny, this is nothing short of outstanding progress for a young person who had had such a hard time.
Advice for future foster carers
When asked if they had any advice for people looking to start their fostering careers, Caroline said: “Children just do not fit nearly in the boxes that society wants to put them in. Don’t abide by the boxes! You can have all the training in the world, but it might not be what’s needed for your foster child in that moment, and that’s okay. We’re all individuals., As long as you do your best to love and support them, you’re doing your bit.”
**Names have been changed to protect the identity of the young person
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