Thinking about becoming a Foster Carer in the North East?
Hear from Rachel and Dan, approved Foster Carers with The Fostering Company North East, as they share their journey into fostering. From balancing family life with their own children to welcoming children into their home, their story offers insight into the support, rewards and realities of becoming a Foster Carer in the North East.
Our fostering journey began as a thought many years ago when we faced some fertility challenges. At the time, we weren’t sure if we would be able to have children of our own, and fostering became something we seriously considered. Life took us on a different path, and we were eventually blessed with our two wonderful children – Leo, now 8, and Ava, 5 – but the desire to foster never left us.
In 2023, after more than 20 years working in dentistry, I made the life-changing decision to leave my career and follow my heart into fostering. Dan, my husband, has continued his career in recruitment, but fully supports our fostering journey every step of the way.
We were officially approved as Foster Carers with The Fostering Company North East in July 2024 and welcomed our first child in September 2024, a bright and resilient 3-year-old boy with additional needs. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and we’re so proud to have supported him in his journey back to his birth mum, with whom we still share a lovely relationship and stay in close contact.
Since then, we’ve been providing short break care until we welcomed our most recent child a few weeks ago, a wonderful 15 month old little girl who’s settled in amazingly.
One of the questions we’re often asked is how our own children feel about fostering. Honestly, Leo and Ava have taken to it with so much love and empathy, it’s been amazing to watch them embrace this experience with open hearts. Their kindness at such a young age inspires us every day.
To anyone considering fostering, we’d say-do it. You have the opportunity not only to change a child’s life, but your own as well.
Talk to us about fostering
If you’re inspired by Rachel and Dan’s story, contact our friendly Carer Enquiries team today for an informal chat about becoming a Foster Carer.