Calling all role models

Foster4, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s foster carer recruitment service, celebrates Father’s Day on 21 June by recognising the contribution that fathers and father figures, including male foster carers, make to the lives of their children.

Fostering is an incredible, home-based, flexible and self-employed role that uses many different skills and provides great role modelling for children. Foster4, a collaboration of four local authorities including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton, asked some of their male foster carers in the lead up to Father’s Day to explain the immense satisfaction they get from fostering.  

David, along with his wife Michelle, has been a foster carer for over four years. In that time they have fostered six children, from a newborn baby to a teenager and currently care for four children between the ages of four and 14.  Initially resistant to the idea of becoming a foster carer due to a demanding job and other commitments, it was the perseverance of David’s wife that eventually led to him changing his mind - and he is so glad he did.

David says: “I have been so surprised since becoming a foster carer. It has been the most amazing thing I have ever done and I feel extremely privileged to be able to make such a positive impact on children, some of whom have had very difficult and traumatic lives.

“It is important to remember that as a male foster carer you can be a really positive role model, especially for older boys, who may not have experienced much of this in the past. Demonstrating good behaviour, kindness and nurturing their hobbies and interests are ways of helping them excel.”

For many children and young people, it is particularly important for them to have a positive role model in their lives, someone who can help give a child the best possible chance of happiness and success.

When asked if he has any advice for anyone considering being a foster carer, David said: “Stop thinking about it and get on with it. You won’t know how good being a foster carer is, until you’ve tried it.”

Councillor Bob Cernik, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “It’s wonderful to hear foster carers sharing the positives that they, and the children they care for, get from being part of a foster family. Foster4 recruit and support more foster carers than any other organisation in Cheshire and we really want to grow our fostering family even more this year. If you think you can provide a loving and stable home for some of our children in care please get in touch and make an enquiry today.”

Councillor Margaret Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s member of Foster4 said: “Foster carers play such a valuable role in west Cheshire and we want to take this opportunity to encourage even more people to consider fostering with us.

“All our foster carers make a real difference to the lives of our children and young people and, as David has illustrated, it is a very rewarding job. If you’ve been thinking about fostering, please get in contact with the Foster4 team who will be able to provide further information and support you through the application process.”

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people have found themselves developing new skills as they adjust to spending more time at home, educating and supporting their own children to the changes in the world around them or by volunteering to help people in their communities.   If you have found your new role rewarding and would like the opportunity to use your skills to support and guide local children that may not have had positive or fulfilling relationships in their lives, then find out more about fostering at foster4.co.uk/enquire

Pictured - Foster Carer David