16th April 2026
Paul* is an 11‑year‑old boy and the youngest of three siblings. Paul is a loveable, content child who has a special way of connecting with those around him. While Paul is non‑verbal, he expresses himself clearly through happy vocalisations, laughter, big smiles, and affectionate gestures. He is a very content and confident boy who takes new situations and environments in his stride.
Paul needs a long‑term foster home with foster carers who can offer him consistency, patience, and genuine warmth.
Paul’s Personality and Interests
Paul is a content and endearing boy who brings joy to the people who spend time with him. He is often smiling, laughing, and giggling. Paul will seek affection on his own terms, and he will also enjoy his own space. He is happy in his own wee world when his emotional and physical needs are nurtured.
As Paul is non-verbal, he relies fully on his carers to understand, anticipate and meet his needs. Paul will express himself by vocalising through loud noises. These can be happy or unhappy noises, and getting to know Paul will help the foster carer differentiate when Paul is happy or unhappy. Paul can have short bouts of vocal frustration if something is annoying him, such as IT trouble on his tablet or other people being as noisy as him. Not unlike any other young person his age!
Paul enjoys spending time on his iPad, where his favourite programmes include Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol. As part of his autism, Paul stims, particularly when excited or unsettled. Paul will sensory seek and enjoys sensory toys such as Squishmallows and watching his Bubble tube. Paul loves adults around him playing with him, singing nursery rhymes such as Row, Row Row Your Boat, and chatting to him. He enjoys car journeys and seeing the world around him when carers take him for walks using his wheelchair.
Paul is largely dependent on his carers for mobility, however can pull himself independently up on his knees and knee‑crawl.
Paul’s Care and Support Needs
Paul has a range of medical and personal care needs, all of which are well‑established and supported by clear care plans and professionals. Paul requires a foster carer willing to learn and work together with his care team, who will provide support and training on an ongoing basis.
Paul is PEG fed with an established feeding plan and can eat some soft foods orally. Paul requires full assistance with all his personal care. He has a diagnosis of epilepsy, however, has been seizure‑free for many years. His sleep can be disrupted, and he benefits from reassurance during the night. Paul is fully responsive to carers as they provide him with his daily care, and is much smaller than the average 11-year-old boy. He is extremely accommodating with carers conducting his personal care. He has great core strength and can lift his bottom section to assist with washing etc.
Paul requires a foster carer who can drive to meet his appointments and enjoys drives in the car. Paul has a range of regular health appointments, requiring his foster carer to be committed and invested in his health and wellbeing.
Paul’s foster carers will receive full training and ongoing multi-professional support. Carers describe being with Paul as rewarding and he is a pleasure to care for.
Paul’s Environment and Daily Life
Paul is well supported and known to a range of professionals. He attends a SEN School, where he is well understood, and he also benefits from support through Short Breaks.
Paul utilises a range of specialist equipment, including a Motability vehicle, a safe space bed, hoist, feeding chair and changing table. So, his house will need to be wheelchair‑accessible, with a suitable downstairs living arrangement.
Who Paul Needs
Paul is looking for foster carers who can accept and be sensitive and available to him, in providing patient, nurturing, hands‑on care. Paul requires family time, and this will be important this continues into his future.
Could you offer Paul a place in your family?
Paul may not communicate through words, but he communicates clearly through joy, connection, and presence. He is a child who brings moments of laughter, tenderness, and deep meaning to the lives of those who care for him. With the right foster family, Paul can continue to thrive in a home where he is understood, cherished, and celebrated for exactly who he is.
Ideally Paul’s foster family would be within travelling distance to Antrim and Ballymena, however we welcome enquires from other areas too.
Paul’s foster carers will receive fostering allowances and additional financial support per annum, alongside ongoing multi-professional support, training and development opportunities.
Find out more
Get in touch with us to find out more about caring for Paul:
Call 0800 0720 137 or complete an online enquiry form
*name changed and stock image used to protect child’s identity