Being a foster carer: The opportunities and challenges

A feeling of self-satisfaction knowing that they are improving the life/lives of another child/children and supporting them through a difficult period of their lives. •

Government benefits are available to carers (foster reward payments and carers’ allowance) to help support both the child/children and themselves during the period of foster care.

Foster carers may become an asset to the local community which may improve their self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth due to the essential and worthwhile role of being foster carers.

24-hour support is available for foster carers, if a carer encounters difficulty with a child/children such as running away, difficulties with the police or conflict between the child/children and foster carers are supported through this.

Foster care can be a temporary arrangement which means a carer may only have to commit for a short period of time.

The issues concerning the child/children may be very complex and require a lot of work by the carer in supporting the child/children.

The child/children will not be with the carer forever and this can be emotionally demanding on the foster carer.

The child/children may find it difficult settling in to a new family and so put pressure on the family dynamic in the home.

A carer may find it difficult bonding with a new child and this could cause stress for others in the home.