Children waiting for a foster home

Aaron* is a tall, soon to be eleven year old boy, with a mischievous smile, dark brown eyes and brown hair. He is of slim build. Aaron enjoys going to the park or going on walks but can need a bit of encouragement to start activities. Aaron is a physically healthy child. He has a diagnosis of ADHD and takes medication for this, he is also awaiting ASD assessment. He has been prescribed glasses but does need reminders to wear them.

Aaron has certain foods that he really enjoys, such as pasta, waffles and roast chicken and his sleep routine has improved since starting his ADHD medication. Aaron is independent with his self-care but can sometimes need encouragement in this area.

He enjoys playing games on his phone, such as Roblox and would like to try activities, such as Laserquest. Aaron can present as quiet when first meeting him but he is articulate and able to speak about his feelings, with those adults that he trusts. Aaron attends mainstream school. When in school, Aaron has a couple of close friendships with his peers, whilst many of the teachers speak warmly about his presence in the classroom. He is extremely bright academically and if supported to attend school everyday, it is felt that his academic potential could be fulfilled. His teachers are very nurturing and supportive and Aaron reacts positively to this.

Aaron is registered with a community dentist and at the start of the year had some teeth removed.

Aaron has an older sister whom he had a close relationship with. He does not see his sister often now and he does find this difficult.

Aaron has previously spent time out of parental care and his experiences have impacted upon his emotional wellbeing. Aaron needs a foster carer/s who will be consistent and committed to him and who will help him to feel safe. He needs a foster carer who will be patient and who will allow him time to settle in. He needs foster carers who can provide a loving home on a long-term basis and who will be consistently emotionally available to him.

As well as ongoing support, Aaron’s foster carer/s will receive an annual fee provided monthly, alongside fostering allowances to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child's identity.

Daisy* is a loveable and energetic nine year-old girl who has long brown hair, blue/green coloured eyes and is of a good build. Daisy loves physical activities like dancing and showing her gymnastic moves. She loves going to the park and will frequently ask her adults to bring her.

Daisy is a healthy child, she is not on any medication and does not need to visit the doctor regularly. Daisy wears glasses and can lose them frequently. She requires encouragement to keep them safe.

Daisy has a great appetite and loves a variety of dinners. She loves eating watermelon. Daisy has a great sleep routine and will sleep well at night. She likes to use her night light. At night time she likes a hand and foot massage, along with a bedtime story. Daisy uses child’s farm products as her skin is quite sensitive.

Daisy is registered with the dentist and following a recent appointment, requires several teeth removed. She remains on a waiting list for this.

Daisy loves watching Bluey on TV. She loves role playing with her dolls and also playing with make-up. Daisy really loves Stitch and has a lot of Stitch toys and clothing. Daisy really loves singing along to any of the pop songs in the charts.

There are no issues with Daisy’s ability to communicate and she is a little chatterbox. Daisy is a very happy little girl who loves being around adults. Daisy thrives on adult attention. She can sometimes get over-excited and boisterous when playing with others, but is easily diverted and will do what is asked of her.

Daisy attends mainstream school and her teachers are very nurturing and supportive. Daisy is noted to have to work to be motivated at school and works within the bottom ability group, across all areas. She receives support from the Outreach Service twice per week.

Daisy is the youngest of four children, who are all in foster care. Daisy will meet with her mum and sister fortnightly and will meet up with her three siblings once per month. Daisy highlights her enjoyment and positivity with spending time with her birth family.

Daisy has had lots of placement moves which have impacted upon her emotional wellbeing. Daisy needs a foster carer who will be committed to her, allowing her extra time to settle in and to feel safe.

Daisy requires a foster carer who can show her lots of love and affection. She needs a carer who can provide a long-term home for her so that she can feel safe and have a sense of belonging as she grows up.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child's identity.

Charlie* is a six year-old boy, who is tall for his age and is of slim build. He has curly, dark brown hair and big brown eyes. Charlie has a lovely big smile. He is a happy and loving little boy. Charlie is described as a pleasure to be around and is a very affectionate child, often seeking out his carer for hugs and affection.

Charlie has a Statement of Special Educational Needs. He has a diagnosis of Autism. This means that he can take more time than other children his age to understand people around him and his environment. He has been living with his foster carer for a period of approximately 2 ½ years and in this time has made a lot of progress.

Charlie does have clear speech and he speaks in short sentences. He has some understanding of what others say to him. Charlie will use his hands to gesture when he is talking or if he is excited. There are visual aids around the house that Charlie can point to if he is not able to verbally communicate something. These visuals have had a positive impact on Charlie managing transitions. Charlie is currently being toilet trained and this has been a longer process given his additional needs. Charlie was previously making good progress with this, however due to disruption from placement moves, this is taking a little longer.

Charlie loves exploring and is always on the go. He can sometimes hurt himself, therefore supervision is important when caring for Charlie to make sure he does not fall or hurt himself.

Charlie loves to be outdoors. He could spend all day playing in the park, running and he loves his scooter. Charlie attends a mainstream school with a unit where he is settled and doing well. There are therapeutic supports in place in school and he really reacts well to the structure of his day that is in place.

Charlie loves reading books and he is a proficient reader. Charlie is very skilled and his reading is well advanced for his age. He also loves looking through brochures and catalogues. Charlie has a love for kitchen appliances. He can name brands and loves to learn about them. Some of Charlie’s other interests are Paw Patrol, Mario and space.

Charlie benefits from having set routines and structure throughout the day such as getting ready in the morning and bed time. Charlie has a consistent bedtime routine, with a bath at 7.30pm followed by Charlie reading books before having a bedtime story. Charlie is very imaginative and leads the narrative. Charlie has been falling asleep between 8.00pm and 8.30pm then wakes between 6.00am and 06.30am. Charlie sometimes wakes up throughout the night, however he will be back to sleep within seconds.

Charlie eats small portions and although he eats a good range of foods, occasionally he can be very fussy and refuse meals. He is monitored by health professionals who are happy with his weight and development.

Charlie has experienced a lot of trauma, loss and instability in his life and he struggles to make sense of it. Charlie responds very well to one-to-one attention from adults and when they take an interest in his life and hobbies.

Charlie really needs a foster carer(s) who will give him plenty of love and affection. He needs a nurturing and safe environment where he can continue to flourish.

You will not be on your own.

We will support you by providing:

• an annual fee provided monthly, alongside the additional fostering allowance to cover day-to-day expenses
• a named social worker who will be available to you
• Out of hours social work services
• Comprehensive training to enable you to understand Charlie’s particular needs
• Further support will be made available from other appropriate professionals to enable you to understand Charlie’s needs at different stages in his development.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child's identity.

Jake*, Steven* and Rosie* are three siblings who need to stay together.

The children have through a difficult time and require a home where they will remain for the remainder of their childhood and that offers them the love, security and stability they greatly need and deserve.

 Jake

Jake* is a 16 year-old boy, with short dark hair, and brown eyes. Jake is tall in height and of slim build. Jake eats a varied diet and enjoys a range of foods. Jake is of a quiet temperament and is also described as a 'little gentleman', who is polite, well behaved and diligent. Jake is able to attend to all of his personal care needs and is disciplined in his routine of revision and homework. Jake has a good group of friends that he would see in school and previously enjoyed attending a Youth Club on a Friday night. Jake also used to attend Archery at weekends, and excelled at this. Jake would like to restart Archery classes. Jake can show a good sense of humour and enjoys gaming online with his friends. Jake enjoys spending time with his friends both in school, community and online.

Despite periods of absence from school due to Young Carer responsibilities, Jake has achieved excellent grades which is a credit to his intelligence and dedication to his studies. Jake has a positive and strong relationship with school staff and this has been a source of stability for him. Jake is hard working, bright and conscientious, taking his studies seriously and putting a lot of effort into reaching his full potential. Jake wishes to complete his A Levels in the next two years, and wants to be a Psychiatrist in future.

Jake is a kind boy, who is considerate of others and displays no behaviours that would challenge.

Despite the challenges Jake has faced in recent years, he is managing extremely well, which is a reflection of his tenacity and positive nature. Jake requires a home that can provide him with the comfort and stability he needs as he transitions in to young adulthood, allowing him to experience a sense of childhood and fun. It is important that Jake has foster carers who are attuned to his needs and provide him with warmth. A nurturing and safe environment where he can continue to flourish.

Steven

Steven* is an 11 year-old boy. He is average/slightly tall for his age and is of slim build. He has short fair hair and wears glasses. Steven has a witty personality and is a pleasure to be around. Steven can present as shy at first however is quick to warm up and has become more confident over the last year. Steven is able to attend to all of his personal care needs and is disciplined in his routine of revision and homework. Steven has no behavioural issues and is said to be a delight to be around. Steven eats a balanced diet, and his favourite food is Tacos. Steven has a good bedtime routine and likes a lie in at the weekend.

Steven has speech and language delay. This had been raised by his primary school for a number of years, however Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) was not progressed until last year, meaning Steven’s speech has had further delay. Steven has made great progress in SALT and is due to finish his sessions in the coming weeks. As Steven’s speech has made progress he has become more confident in speaking out in class and with others. Steven will require some ongoing support at home with sound formation to further develop his language skills. Steven recently took part in his school play which he really enjoyed and was a great achievement for him. Steven is due to transition to secondary school this year, and is excited but nervous about this. Steven is a clever, bright and conscientious young man and is achieving highly in school, with a particular interest in mathematics.

Steven likes to cook and prepare food and has expressed interest in becoming a chef in future. Steven likes to game, and enjoys Minecraft and Fortnite. Steven also enjoys reading. Steven attended Youth Club and Judo over the last few years, however has stopped Judo now. Steven is open to exploring new activities in future. Steven enjoys family days out and taking part in activities.

Steven’s speech and language development impacted upon his ability to communicate his feelings and wishes. This is improving over time which has been very beneficial to Steven’s overall wellbeing with his teachers noticing a significant change. Steven responds very well to one-to-one attention from adults and when they take an interest in his life and hobbies.

Rosie

Rosie* is a nine year-old girl, is average height and of slim build. She has long brown hair. Rosie is a clever and conscientious girl, who is achieving very well at school. Rosie is not on any regular medication and has no health needs. Rosie likes to do things for herself as much as possible but does like some support with washing her hair. Rosie is a good eater, and enjoys a range of foods. Her favourite food is pulled pork and she also likes salads.

Rosie loves arts and crafts, including pottery/clay modelling. Rosie likes trips to Starbucks and cafés and wants to try out Boba Tea. Rosie likes to pick out her own clothes and can attend to her own personal care needs. Rosie likes music, with her favourites at the moment being Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. Rosie has recently learned to ride a bike despite being worried about this, and enjoys playing outside on her bike and scooter. Rosie loves pastel colours, her favourite is Lilac. Rosie attended Youth Club, Judo and Brownies over the last few years. Rosie has now stopped attending these classes but would like to look into other clubs and activities in the future. Rosie would like to be a hairdresser or a pottery maker when she grows older.

There are no issues with Rosie’s ability to communicate and she can be a little chatterbox. However, Rosie can be a bit shy when first meeting new people but is quick to warm up and can express her feelings and wishes well. Rosie is a confident and chatty little girl who loves being around adults, sometimes preferring the company of adults to her peers. Rosie has been used to one on one interaction from key adults, and enjoys this, however also interacts well with others. Rosie can be placed with other children and seems to enjoy their company, however would benefit from individual focus.

Rosie does not present with any behaviour difficulties and is sweet and kind natured. Rosie is the youngest of three siblings and the only girl. Rosie needs foster carers who can attend to her needs as well as showing her lots of love and affection. She needs carers who can provide a long-term home for her so that she can feel safe and have a sense of belonging she grows up.

______________________

As their foster carer, you will not be on your own.

We will support you by providing:

• an annual fee provided monthly alongside the additional fostering allowance to cover day-to-day expenses
• a named social worker who will be available to you
• out-of-hours social work services
• comprehensive training to enable you to understand the children’s particular needs
• further support from other appropriate professionals to enable you to understand their needs at different stages in their development.

The children have contact with family friends who will take them on short breaks and are a positive relationship and connection to their family.

The children’s current foster carers will offer short breaks to support any long-term foster carers.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Jake, Steven and Rosie’s names have been changed to protect their identities.

Zach* is an 8 year old boy, is around 4ft with a slim build, has mid-brown hair and brown eyes. He needs a long-term foster home where he can grow and develop. Zach is a very charming little boy who has a real ability to engage with the people around him.

Zach is a very active child, and loves exploring outdoors and riding his bike.  He also really enjoys playing games on his Switch, both alone and with friends. He is really good at it and this gives him a sense of achievement. Zach likes animals, especially dogs, and helps out looking after family pets. His current foster carer promotes independent play, which Zach is progressing with.

Zach has been through a lot of difficult experiences in his young life and acts younger than his age. He struggles to identify and work through his feelings and emotions. Zach is keen to please and fit in. He would like to be part of a family and participate in family activities.

Zach is currently in P5 in primary school. He tries hard at school and likes to do well. He can get anxious in school and is currently on a reduced timetable. His attendance is excellent.

Zach thrives on routine and a structured day. He likes to know his schedule in advance so he will not feel anxious. He will need a lot of adult involvement initially until he feels safe in a new environment.

Zach has family time with his siblings and granny once a week, which is important to him. He also sees his mum once a month.

We are looking for a two adult household who can support Zach. Zach’s foster carers would not be expected to be at home full-time, however, his current foster carer is only able to work part-time due to Zach’s current level of support. He would require someone to be there to pick him up from school as he becomes anxious when different people  pick him up. As he is at school, his foster carers would have to facilitate school transport.

Zach would be best placed in a home where he is the only child, however he also could be placed with older children. Zach is able to be in a foster home with a child with additional needs, as Zach is very understanding of others. Zach will benefit from foster carers who can give him lots of reassurance and commit time to him.

Ideally, Zach’s foster carers would live within travelling distance to Ballymena but we would also welcome enquiries to foster Zach from other areas within the Northern area.

Zach’s foster carers will receive a fee as well as monthly fostering allowances, in recognition of the support he requires, alongside ongoing social work support and training and development opportunities.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child’s identity.

Jack*, 13

Jack* is 13 years old, with brown eyes, brown hair and a bright smile. He likes to keep his hair short and well trimmed. He is funny and outgoing.

Jack has been in short-term foster care and requires a long-term home with his brother Alex* (12) who he shares a close relationship with.

Jack is a very loveable young person, with a great personality. His unique charm comes from his ability to make people laugh with his quick wit and sarcastic sense of humour. He is a gamer at heart, spending his free time immersed in videos games, but he also enjoys being active, especially playing football with friends. Jack would like to start boxing at a local club.

He is in his second year at secondary school, where he has lots of friends. His favourite subject is Maths and he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. He is confident to speak his mind and share his views.

Jack and his brother Alex have been through a lot of difficult experiences in their young lives and they can struggle to talk about their feelings and emotions at times. Alex and Jack need to live in a household where they can build trust and help them manage their sadness at being apart from their sister and wider family.

Jack takes pride in staying stylish, keeping up with the trends and likes to be well groomed. He is independent and likes to spend down time watching Tiktok videos or movies. He also enjoys going out shopping, going to Tim Horton’s, the amusements and go-karting.

He has a good appetite and loves eating any kind of food, including vegetables. His favourite food is Domino’s and McDonald’s, however, he has these as a treat.

Jack has family time with his siblings three times per week.

Jack would be best suited to living in a two adult household; he enjoys having one on one time with his foster carer. Jack’s foster carers are not expected to be at home full-time, as he and his brother Alex are in school.

*****

Alex* (12)

Alex* is 12 years old, with brown hair, brown eyes and a cheeky smile. He is outgoing, active and has a lovely personality.

Alex has been in short-term foster care and requires a long-term home with his brother Jack (13), who he shares a close relationship with.

Alex is a very funny child, who loves to make people laugh and enjoys one on one time with his carer. Alex loves to play video games and will happily spend his free time doing so. Alex also loves to play football with his brother and friends, and plays football after school. Alex enjoys spending time with his friends, going to the cinema, the beach, the amusements, to the park and youth club. Alex would like to join his brother and join boxing at a local club.

He is in his first year of secondary school, which he enjoys and has good friends. His favourite subject is Science and P.E.

Alex has a good appetite and will eat all kinds of foods. His favourite foods, like most teenage boys, are chicken nuggets, burgers, pizza and doughnuts.

Alex has family time with his siblings three times per week. Alex would benefit from foster carers who can give him reassurance and commit time to him.

Alex would be best suited to living in a two adult household, so he can spend one on one time with his carer. Alex’s foster carers are not expected to be at home full-time, as he and his brother Jack are in school.

Ideally, Alex and Jack’s foster carers would live in the Ballymena, Antrim, Randalstown, Cullybackey, Broughshane or Ballymoney area, to allow the boys to remain in school.

As Alex and Jack's foster carers you will receive an annual fee provided monthly, alongside fostering allowances to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses as well as ongoing social work support.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*names changed and stock image used to protect young people’s identities

Could you foster Finley*, 12?

Finley* has a beautiful smile which is complemented by his sparkling hazel eyes. He has dark brown hair which he wears short at the sides and wavy on top.

Finley is currently developing his own sense of style. He loves jewellery including rings, earrings and necklaces, and is drawn towards flared jeans and motif t-shirts.

Finley’s carers describe him as a funny, light-hearted young person. He gets on well with other children who tend to be drawn to his loving personality. Finley is caring and shows kindness towards his peers, giving them presents on special occasions.

Finley loves gaming on his tablet and watching scary movies. He is outgoing and keen to try new activities. He enjoys wall-climbing, ice-skating, trampolining, and swimming.

Finley does not typically ask for food however when prompted he will enjoy his meals. He can express his likes and dislikes and is keen to try new foods. He particularly enjoys breakfast waffles with chocolate spread. His favourite dinner is chicken curry and he loves a trip to Nandos.

Finley is in Primary 7. Going to school can be difficult for him at times, however he is making attempts to improve his attendance. Finley is an intelligent boy who can manage the level of work provided to him. He responds well to praise for his efforts and accomplishments.

Finley would like to attend a school which is local to his new foster care family. He does not wish to travel far to school as he is keen to integrate into the local community.

Because of his life experiences, Finley needs to be nurtured and cared for within a highly supportive fostering household. This will require at least one foster carer to be at home full-time. Finley’s foster carer/s will receive a fee (in addition to foster carer allowances) to reflect the level of commitment needed.

It is hoped that Finley’s new foster carer/s will be flexible, naturally curious and empathic of Finlay while he learns to trust. Finley can become sensitive at times and may struggle to understand the behaviours of others around him. Finley’s new foster carer/s will be encouraged to learn more about his past experiences, and how best to support his emotional and social development. His foster carer/s will work with a team of supporting professionals and assist with transport to appointments, school and hobbies.

Since coming into care Finley has made great progress, and has formed a good attachment with his carers who he regularly seeks reassurance from. He has begun to show, seek, and accept physical affection from them and will openly talk about his wishes and feelings. In their own words, “Finley is a delight to care for”.

As Finley’s foster carer/s you will receive:

• an enhanced training package to help you understand the needs of children, like Finley
• a financial fee in addition to foster carer allowances
• advice and guidance from professionals involved in his Finley’s life including consultation and therapeutic support from a dedicated senior practitioner psychologist and monthly network meetings
• regular contact from your supervising social worker through text, telephone and home visits
• out-of-hours support from the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (includes evenings, weekends, and bank holidays)
• a personalised support package to meet Finley’s needs, including outreach and short breaks provision
• annual leave provision.

Virtual information session

If you are interested in hearing more about Finley or if you think you could offer him a safe and loving foster home, we invite you to attend a virtual information session:

To register, please call us on 0800 0720 137 or email hello@adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net

Alternatively you can fill out our online enquiry form.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child’s identity.

Ella*, 11, is a kind, happy, talented and well-mannered young girl, with freckles and a big smile. Her brother, Joe*, is a happy and caring six-year-old, with brown eyes and a love of the outdoors.

Whilst living at home Ella felt her job as a big sister was to take care of Joe, making sure he was safe and had something to eat. Her foster carers have taught her that she can enjoy Joe’s company, while also making time to explore her own hobbies. This has allowed Ella to pursue her sporting interests, including football and camogie, and she also enjoys swimming and trampolining. Equally, Ella likes to relax at home with a good book or watching a movie. Teachers have described Ella as interested and motivated; someone who goes above and beyond in all areas of school life. She is really proud of achieving a Band 1 in the transfer test and is excited to progress to ‘big school’ in September 2024.

Like many siblings, Ella and Joe have their ups and downs, however she remains his biggest supporter and protector. During his time in foster care, Joe has grown into a happy and confident boy. His teacher describes Joe as a great friend who offers comfort to those who need it. Joe also has a natural flair for numeracy and has beautiful handwriting. He is so proud of all of his achievements this year, particularly building on his language and social skills. Joe loves to spend time at the park, on the trampoline, or relaxing by watching cartoons. He continues to benefit from regular support and guidance from his foster carer with everyday tasks.

Ella and Joe are thriving on the consistency and stability they are receiving in foster care which has allowed them to experience a number of ‘firsts’ together. This has included having matching Christmas pyjamas, celebrating their birthdays, dressing up for the Halloween disco, and having a play date with a school friend. These simple things that have meant the world to them.

Ella and Joe need a long-term foster home together in the Southern area where they can feel part of a family and the wider community to enhance their sense of belonging. Their foster carers will provide them with the love and understanding they deserve, whilst also helping them to build upon their strengths. Could you foster Ella and Joe?

As Ella and Joe’s foster carer/s you will receive:

• training to help you understand the needs of children in foster care
• financial allowances to ensure your financial situation is not compromised by fostering
• advice and guidance from Ella and Joe’s social worker and other professionals involved in their life, such as a play therapist
• regular contact from your supervising social worker through text, telephone, and home visits
• out-of-hours support from the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (including evenings, weekends and bank holidays)
• opportunities to meet with other foster carers for advice and to share experiences through support groups.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Names changed and stock images used to protect children’s identities.

Alfie*, 6 ½ , is a caring, funny and outgoing boy, and his sister Kristina*, 5, is a happy and artistic child with a sweet smile. While Alfie has short blonde hair, Kristina loves having her long fair-coloured hair styled and decorated with bows. They are both petite build with beautiful blue eyes.

Alfie is an active, curious, social child who likes to ask questions as he learns about the world around him. He loves to spend time outdoors, whether it be riding his bike, helping to take the dogs for a walk, or going to the local park. However, he can be wary of heights unlike his little sister Kristina who is more daring. Alfie also enjoys watching Minecraft on YouTube, playing computer games, or singing and dancing to music on the Alexa. He has a lovely caring relationship with their current foster carer’s grandfather who resides within the home.

Kristina is kind and helpful, and enjoys keeping her foster carer company as she does chores around the house. She is described as a social butterfly and quite the chatter box, though she can be quite quiet in the company of people or places that are unfamiliar to her. Kristina has a natural love for anything pink, sparkly or rainbow coloured! This is evident when choosing the colour to have her nails painted, the clothes she wears, her creative artwork and her collection of teddy bears. Kristina enjoys playing with her dolls and pram, completing art-work or watching Bluey on TV.

As siblings, both Alfie and Kristina continue to enjoy a bedtime story, cuddling up with their foster carer to watch a movie, trips to their local pond to feed the ducks, or simply the reassurance of a hug.

The children are now in primary 2 and 3. Alfie has made good academic progress and is developing confidence within using sounds to establish word blends. Kristina has also worked hard to learn her words and loves to play on the interactive whiteboard during structured playtime. Both are noted to have good manners and are popular among their peers.

Alfie and Kristina’s current foster carer describes them as ‘easy-going’, displaying behaviours in line with their age and stage of development. It is evident that they have benefitted from the consistent care and stability they have received while in their current short-term fostering arrangement. We now need a long-term foster home for Alfie and Kristina where they can remain together and continue to thrive. Could you foster?

As Alfie and Kristina’s foster carer/s you will receive:

• training to help you understand the needs of children in foster care
• financial allowances to ensure your financial situation is not compromised by fostering
• advice and guidance from Alfie and Kristina’s social worker and other professionals involved in their life, such as a play therapist
• regular contact from your supervising social worker through text, telephone, and home visits
• out-of-hours support from the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (including evenings, weekends and bank holidays)
• opportunities to meet with other foster carers for advice and to share experiences through support groups.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Names changed and stock images used to protect children’s identities.

Jamie* is a thoughtful and endearing 14 year-old boy. Jamie is 5ft 11 inches with light brown hair and blue eyes. Jamie has a lovely smile and is a chatty individual who engages in meaningful conversations. Jamie is capable of forming caring, nurturing relationships with the trusted adults in his life.

Jamie is an energetic individual who enjoys staying active. He enjoys playing football, going swimming and occasionally going to the gym. Jamie enjoys technology and spends time playing video games and watching YouTube. Occasionally, Jamie enjoys watching films and going to the cinema.

Jamie has good independent living skills. Jamie has cooked and prepared meals and appears to enjoy doing this. Jamie eats a varied diet and enjoys trying new foods. Jamie has good awareness of personal hygiene but does need some prompting with this.

Jamie has a diagnosis of ADHD but is not on any medication. He is currently in 4^th year of secondary school and is attending a learning support unit. However, Jamie does attend several mainstream classes. Jamie is doing well in the school setting; however he can struggle with peer interaction and can lack age-appropriate social skills. Jamie is beginning to take more practical subjects which he shows more of an interest in. Due to Jamie’s lack of social skills Jamie can come across as outspoken at times.

Jamie will explore his feelings/emotions with adults when he builds trusting relationships with them. Jamie thrives in relationships where there are boundaries in place. Jamie needs to be placed in a caring, structured, loving environment. Jamie strives of having a structured routine where he is aware of his daily plans. Jamie can struggle with change of plans, however this is improving.

Jamie enjoys spending time with his family and it is hoped that his foster carer/s would support this. Jamie spends time with his mother from 2-3 days a week, however, requires support with their relationship. Jamie sees his baby brother (age 2) when he visits his mum. Jamie also has a twin who he sees up to three times a week also.  Jamie also sees his extended family including his grandparent and aunties.

As Jamie’s foster carer/s you will receive an annual fee provided monthly, alongside fostering allowances to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses as well as ongoing social work support.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child's identity.

Rory* is a 14 year old boy with brown hair and brown eyes. He is tall, broadly built and is a gentle giant at heart. He is thoughtful and considerate. He has a very dry sense of humour, is funny and can really make you laugh. He is lovely company, especially one-to-one.

Rory is a lover of nature and the natural world. Rory has a great affinity with animals and is very at ease in the company of animals. He is gentle around animals. Rory would benefit from a rural home with outdoor space and animals preferably dogs, horses or goats. Rory has an allergy to cats if he strokes their fur but he has a genuine fondness for them.

Rory loves spending time in nature and appreciates the smell of rain, a beautiful sunset or the profile of a tree. Rory enjoys taking his mountain bike on forest trails, going for hikes, rock climbing, coasteering and bushcraft. Physical activity assists Rory greatly with dealing with his emotions and emotional expression. He is very ’at home’ in nature and in physicality and both have a calming effect on him. Rory would have attended a boxing club weekly and feels the benefits afterwards. He enjoys playing basketball at school with his peers and staff and plays football with other young people at his current residence.

Rory is good with other children and especially when he senses there is an atmosphere of transparency, equality and fairness. Rory has a fear of rejection and any slight hint of being rejected can trigger an automatic fight survival response which manifests as impulsivity, hyperactivity or attention deficits. A calm, nurturing environment with attuned adults can mitigate this issue.

Rory is interested in reading and has a varied collection of books ranging from motivational autobiographies to science fiction. He reads mostly at night to assist settling. Rory loves listening to music and has a colourful range of music interests from ‘The Eagles’ to ‘Led Zeplin’ to ‘The Futons.’ He says his previous foster carer inspired some of his tastes in music. Rory likes to talk about the artists and will philosophise on the meaning of lyrics. He is a sensitive boy who thinks deeply about matters. Rory particularly enjoys one-to-one time on his Play Station, or watching a film or a good Netflix series with staff members.

Rory is a healthy boy with no medical conditions or needs. He enjoys his food and will assist with breakfast or lunch preparation and has good independent kitchen skills. He is easily pleased at mealtimes but is delighted to get a piece of steak!

Rory attends a nurture room in secondary school five days a week. His attendance record is excellent and he enjoys the social aspect of school. His favourite subjects are PE, environmental science and IT. Rory receives exceptional support and encouragement from classroom assistants and his teachers and is doing well in school currently. He receives one-to-one support in the classroom and has physical activity and movement breaks throughout the day to aid concentration. He is entering Year 11 in September and is hoping to attend courses at the Southern Regional College concurrently with school. He has a special interest in all matters pertaining to technology and hopes to pursue a career in IT in the future.

Rory has a twin brother, younger sibling and his mother. He sees his mum and younger sibling twice weekly and is very kind, gentle, caring and patient towards him showing a great understanding of his young needs. He plays imaginatively with him and they also enjoy physical play together. He sees his twin brother once a week and sometimes at the weekend. He has not lived with his twin brother for the past three years. Rory sees his aunt and grandparents regularly when he visits his mum.

As his foster carer/s, you will receive an annual fee provided monthly, alongside fostering allowances to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses as well as ongoing social work support.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Name changed and stock image used to protect child's identity.

Alyan* (9) urgently needs a foster home. He has been in foster care for two and a half years along with his brother, Kamil* (7). They were placed on a short-term emergency placement in residential care whilst a foster home was sought and he continues to reside in residential care.

Alyan is a kind and sensitive boy who has a diagnosis of severe learning disability and Autism. He is of Irish/Pakistani heritage. He uses vocalization, pointing and leading adults to communicate what he wants. He is a very sensory seeking young boy and will seek out objects with rough, scrunch textures.

Alyan enjoys being on his own and will seek out areas where he is able to have his own space and time. When he wishes to, he will readily approach staff for comfort and enjoys receiving and giving hugs. He will climb up on the lap of staff members and cuddle in.

Alyan loves being outside on the trampoline or taking off his socks and shoes to feel the grass beneath his feet or splashing in puddles.

Alyan benefits from routine and structure. He can become frustrated and, at times, will hit out. When he becomes upset he can be calmed with soothing rubs to his arms and legs.

Alyan would be best suited to a two adult household. It is also preferable that any birth children at home are over the age of 11. There is an expectation that one foster carer would be at home and in recognition of this a professional fee is applicable for Alyan as well as monthly fostering allowances, access to a comprehensive range of training to equip you for your role (both pre and post-approval), and 24-hour social work support.

Are you interested in offering Alyan a forever home?

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*Names changed and stock image used to protect children’s identities.

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.

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About Paul

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.

Toby* is a loveable, lively six year-old boy with big brown eyes and brown hair. Toby needs a long-term foster home where he can be cared for by adults who can provide him with a safe and nurturing environment where he can grow and develop.

Toby enjoys being outdoors, he loves play parks and being active. He loves to move, spin, climb and slide. He loves bubbles and blowing up balloons to let them go. Toby likes to use his iPad to watch his favourite cartoons and he likes to copy words and logos from these.

Toby is very affectionate, he loves being held and having lots of hugs.

Toby has experienced delay in his sensory development and play, language and motor skills. He is very much a visual learner and can be helped to understand what is happening throughout his day with the use of visuals such as pictures, photos and objects.

Toby has a special educational needs Statement and he attends school each day until lunchtime and he is great at using the interactive whiteboard for his work.

Toby has really benefitted from the predictable, structured routine that his current carers have put in place for him. Toby is a sensory-led child whose carers pay close attention to his environment and how it can be best utilised to meet his needs.

Toby’s foster carers will need to be able to think about his story and understand how trauma has affected his development in order to offer him safe, trusting relationships from which he can grow.

To continue the great progress he is currently making, Toby would be best cared for within a two adult home where he is the only young child, with one foster carer at home full-time so there is an adult available to him who is fully attuned to his needs throughout the day. Toby could live in a home alongside an older teenager.

Toby’s foster carers will need to be dedicated to assisting him in the development of his communication, sensory processing, play, and motor and language skills with the support of the Therapeutic services currently involved.

Toby has regular family time and needs foster carers who will be supportive of this.

As Toby’s foster carers you will receive:

• Full training in all aspects of being a foster carer.
• Specialist training in Trauma and Attachment and other relevant areas to help understand Toby’s specific developmental needs.
• Advice, guidance and support  from  the key professionals including the Speech and Language  therapist, the Occupational Therapist and Clinical Psychologist, who form a team around Toby to provide a therapeutic plan that addresses his specific needs.
• Fostering allowances plus an additional fee to reflect his needs.
• Support from your supervising social worker as well as Toby’s social worker.
• An opportunity to be part of a foster carer support group where you can meet with other carers and share experiences.
• Paid membership of The Fostering Network to ensure you are protected, connected and supported in your role as a foster carer.

Contact us to register your interest or find out more.

*name changed and stock image used to protect his identity