I joined this site a few weeks ago and have spent lots of time reading various posts and am just wondering how many qualified SW's would tell me I'm mad for wanting to come to the 'dark side' (as lots of foster carers are calling my decision) as I've read a fair bit of negativity on various posts. Also alarmingly is the lack of actual jobs in this sector. What is it like realistically?
I've been fostering for 9 years now and am 38yrs old with one birth child who's almost 10yrs old now. I have worked with babies from only a few hours through to their adoption as well as lots of ages going to 18yrs. Almost all my foster kids come back regularly - in fact a few come back and I'm having to push them to go home - I LOVE my 'work'. I've worked with dozens of SW's over the years and have experienced good and bad practices but this is from my personal point of view and I also realise that alot of the time hands are tied and red tape doesn't help certain situations.
Ideally I'd like to continue fostering AND do SW but only SW on a part-time basis so I get to see my family. I'm currently undertaking an access course with a view to go to uni in the next 2yrs. I'd like to work in Children's services but not CP...well not until my birth son is a bit older and I'd have experience under my belt.
Be honest. How many think I'm mad for considering this path?
You're not mad at all! On my last placement a fellow student of mine was also an experienced foster carer and adopter....and I thought she was ace at what she was doing. Personally I think it's a real asset to have an insight into more than one aspect of the 'whole picture' that is working with children and families - not least for the service users you'll be working with!
Be advised though that it will be a tough 2-3 years in terms of juggling study, placements, and your family and foster caring. Make sure you've got all the support you need around you and get some reading in while you have the chance! It's also a pretty uncertain picture currently job-wise....but who knows how things will be by the time you've graduated?
Go for it and best wishes to you!
I'm a social worker and foster carer although I was a social worker first. I don't find them incompatible as long as there is a supportive partner around :)
One of the finest social workers I've ever had the pleasure to work alongside was a foster carer before she became a social worker. I think it's fantastic experience to take with you into the profession.
Hi Leigh,
One of my pals is a parent, foster carer, adoptive parent of 1 and planning to adopt another, as well as a social worker. He and his wife and (melting pot) family of 8 children plus partners, grandchild and foster grandchild are the best people I know. I have known several social workers and senior managers over the years who have also fostered and adopted.
I can only speak from my experience and agree with the other posters - they have been really good social workers too. Go for it and I send you my best wishes. You'll be great.
Maryb
Good experiance , fostering. Have worked with some great people and some who get right up my nose.
Only tip from me is, be prepared to unlearn stuff.
Chances are you'd make an excellent social worker with your experiences and having already seen examples of good and bad practices. If you want to do it I'd say go for it. The employments situation seems to be difficult, but people are getting jobs. Plus it may have changed a bit in three years when you graduate, and you also have the fostering to 'fall back on'.
Hiya,
I started off a couple of years ago as a social work student, then last year as I was entering my second year I accidentally became a foster carer, I took a bit of time out and now I am back at it, doing both. It can be done, and to be honest, the knowledge I gained from fostering and the assessments I went through has given me the most valuable experience I could have asked for as for a period of time I was on the other side. I would never have truely known what it was like to like being assessed and scutinised in every possible way. I am extremally grateful for knowledge that no amount of education could have given me.
Good luck
Experience of foster carers as a whole is another matter. My biggest gripe were (several) of the ones described as Youth Carers, the elite and rewarded financially and with all sorts of breaks from their foster children. Got up my nose and every other orifice with some children I worked with, and took up inordinate time too !! Never off the phone and neither where their Support SW's.
Sorry Leigh - totally off the point but when I read Shirack, did a bit of remembering of my own personal experiences and jaundiced view as a result !!!!
Im a foster carer and 3rd year student SW.
just my two penneth!
I have found some of the course difficult as someone previously said - there are things you have to unlearn! However, for me I really don't eant to give up fostering as it is what I'm passionate about but I'm concerned about the practicalities of combining both. Part-time opportunities are even rarer than full time it seems at the moment. I'm not allowed to work in children's services for the authority I work for so I'll either have to go into adults or travel to the neighbouring authority - adding to the out of home hours - impacting on foster care. My statutory placement is in adults - as I couldn't be placed in children for reasons mentioned so my chances of a job in children's are affected.
to be honest - I feel a little bit disillusioned with it at the moment - I would love to take fostering further in some sort of career type way - specialising in therapeutic work - but in my authority there aren't the kids coming through the system (unbelievable I know - but so many carers have empty beds), so I feel a bit stuck every way.
doing the degree has certainly helped in terms of fostering and an understanding of the procedures, laws, regulations, etc, etc that SW have to abide by but as a career move - my advice would be to check out what your options are workwise before you commit.
good luck