1st May 2025
We are looking for two foster carers who can provide a loving home for Paul* on a short breaks basis – for two nights every six weeks.
Paul is a happy, gentle and loveable 15-year-old boy. Paul has blonde hair and blue eyes.
Paul has poor eyesight and is registered blind, although he wears glasses, which enable him to see figures and bright colours. Paul’s favourite colour is yellow.
Paul is non-verbal but he has no problem communicating what he wants. He can make his likes and dislikes known through noises, shouting, smiling, and laughing and through his general body language. Paul is very happy when he is around those he is familiar with. He recognises their voices and will respond by smiling or giggling. Paul is very tactile – he loves to hold their hands and cuddle up with his foster family, knowing that they are near him.
Paul has a diagnosis of Down syndrome and has severe developmental delay, which limits his understanding of the world around him; albeit he recognises voices of those he is familiar with and is aware of when he is at home or away.
Given Paul’s limited visual, he relies on his other senses. Paul loves music and listening to nursery rhymes and will rock, smile, laugh and make humming noises when his favourite songs are playing. This is the same for Paul’s favourite cartoons on CBeebies, particularly Peppa Pig. Paul enjoys watching TV shows on the iPad. Paul enjoys a foot rub from family members when everyone is relaxing in the evening.
Paul loves his sensory toys, in particular toys that are bright, colourful and shiny. He enjoys toys that are musical. At home, Paul’s favourite toy is a particular ball, which he enjoys swinging a ball.
Paul can be innocently mischievous at times. Paul has his own particular seat on the sofa. If anyone tries to sit here, Paul will climb up and reclaim his chair!
Paul loves being out and about with his foster family. He has his own car which allows him to travel anywhere in his wheelchair. Paul is fully involved in family life and enjoys regular day trips. Paul has also went on holidays to England and Scotland, and enjoys travelling on the ferry. While away, Paul has his own travel bed, which can be stored in a suitcase. Paul thoroughly enjoys using his travel bed as it is like a tent, and exploring new places.
Paul loves school and is very popular with his teachers and classmates. When Paul arrives in school, all his classmates become more alert and respond so well to Paul’s happy persona.
Since living with his current foster carers, Paul has made great progress in his health and development and the child that was placed with them 11 years ago is so different to the Paul now. Everyone who knows Paul has seen how much he has changed in terms of his physical health. When Paul initially moved in with his foster carers, at almost 4 years old, he was diagnosed as being ‘life-limited’. Paul had low muscle tone and was unable to mobilise and needed to be carried. At this time, Paul required 24/7 oxygen and a significant level of intervention from nurses on a daily basis.
Whilst Paul’s health has improved over the years, given the complexities of his medical needs, it is hard to predict when he may become unwell. Paul has had a number of hospital admissions this year due to ill-health and recently had a blood transfusion. Paul has been very brave throughout his time in hospital. He is now recovering, where he is comfortable in his own home. Paul is currently on medication temporarily following his admission. Paul requires his carers to be very vigilant to monitor his health, making contact with his GP or hospital should they feel worried regarding his symptoms.
Paul no longer requires oxygen and is now prescribed an inhaler, which he uses twice daily. Paul also takes regular medication including for his thyroid. He can now mobilise with support and can walk short distances with his rollator. He is a very strong boy and loves nothing more than climbing up on to the sofa for cuddles and tickles. Paul enjoys his cot and his own space. Paul has a wheelchair for longer journeys but he prefers to be out of his chair when at home and exploring his surroundings.
Paul has a power assisted wheelchair, which means his chair doesn’t have to be pushed.
Paul is fed via a Jejunostomy tube, which his foster carers are trained in completing daily. Whenever there are signs of ill-health, Paul requires robust medical attention.
Paul enjoys going to a short breaks home, which is something he has done for many years.
Paul’s dislikes
Like all young people, Paul has his dislikes. When Paul is unhappy and stressed he can present as quiet or rock. Paul doesn’t like loud noises and will block his ears with his hands. As Paul has spent a lot of his life in and out of hospitals, he can be fearful of them and can appear quiet. Paul mostly tolerates his medical appointments, but does not like getting his bloods taken. Paul will recognise he is in hospital or at a doctor by the smell and sounds around him. When these all occur, Paul can sometimes flap his hands to regulate himself. His foster family also supports Paul by rubbing his feet, holding his hands and verbally reassuring Paul they are present.
Paul does not like being out of routine, he can become vocal or distressed when out of routine at times. For example, Paul loves the predictability of school, playtime and bedtime.
Sleeping
Paul sleep independently in his own room and in his own specialised cot bed. Paul will usually fall asleep easily. Paul will sometimes be awake quietly in the morning or move around his bed making noises.
Self-Care needs
Paul can stand up with the support of his rollator when having his personal care needs attended to by his foster family. Paul requires 24/7 care and support in attending to all his self-care needs. This including washing, dressing, personal care, brushing teeth and putting shoes on.
To care for Paul
We are looking for two adult foster carers who can provide a loving home for Paul on a short breaks basis – for two nights every six weeks. As Paul is getting older and stronger, he requires two carers to meet his needs. Paul will need one person to be at home full-time to be available to respond to any ill health and attend medical appointments. The second carer will need to be present in the home, to provide support in meeting his daily needs. This could be in the capacity of working from home. A ground floor home would be preferable or a home that can be modified to meet Paul’s needs. Given his disability, the type of home you have will be discussed on an individual basis with anyone interested in hearing more. Paul’s foster carers will need to be able to provide a structured routine. You will have a team of people around you who will all help and support you in caring for Paul.
Supports
Given Paul’s specific needs, there are already a range of professionals in the team around Paul and his foster family to ensure that his current level of good health is maintained and to provide support to his foster carers. These include a dietician, Occupational therapist, Community nursing, Pediatrician, social workers and school physiotherapist. This will continue to be available to you. You will have your own social worker from the Fostering Service who will be available to support you. You will also have the support of a social worker from the Children’s Disability team and Paul’s own social worker.
Further support for caring for Paul will be discussed in detail throughout the assessment process, which will include:
- Comprehensive training to enable you to meet all of Paul’s needs.
- Financial support will be provided through a fee, in addition to monthly fostering allowances that are provided to cover the costs of day-to-day care.
- Paul will continue to avail of short breaks.
Contact us to register your interest or find out more.
*Name changed and stock image used to protect his identity.