Chris’ Story

When I applied to become a foster carer, I did wonder whether having been a serving Police Officer would be a barrier to any of the children needed a home. I really should have had more faith in the children, as they have dealt with my ex-profession very well.

My name is Chris Pashley. I served as a Police Officer with Devon & Cornwall Police for 28 years, in both uniform and as a detective. I joined in 1987 and completed my probation in Plymouth. My final posting was as a Safeguarding Adult Investigator and so I was familiar with multi-disciplinary meetings.

After I retired in 2015, my wife and I became foster carers for the local council.  

I loved my Police service and was proud and excited that every day was different, with new challenges and an expectation that you really never knew what was going to happen next. Now I have gone back to work for the Police again, this time as a Civilian Investigator. The work is still varied but less challenging, the real variety comes when I return home.

How has your fostering journey been so far?

We decided that teenagers would be a good idea and even thought three was a good idea. I naively wanted to see the transit from child to adult and in some way prepare our Children in Care for that transition to adulthood. Challenging, did I mention that? Every time you think you are beginning to understand the teenage mind, they come at you from a fresh and surprising angle. There are many frustrations, but would I change it? No not one little bit. There may be a meeting or two and some organisational skills required. The little wins are the best. Our first twins did not laugh for the first few months but when they did it was fantastic. You also have to be prepared for some knock backs and “I don’t care” can be quite thwarting but you really have to start from scratch and think laterally. As police officers we have not seen it all and we certainly haven’t lived it all, but that just makes fostering so interesting.

Cornwall Fostering Voice

All foster carers in Cornwall are automatically members of our Foster Carer Association which is called Cornwall Fostering Voice and I am the Chair. This is the reason that I am invited onto The Corporate Parenting Board, hopefully to represent the views of our foster carers and provide a conduit between Carers and Cornwall County Council Children’s Services. This can be training, probably more importantly, feedback on the service and support that can be accessed.

My one aim as Chair would be to see Foster Carers recognised as the professionals they are. We know our Children in Care possibly better that the Social Workers and there is nothing more satisfying than being able to advocate on behalf of your teen and make that difference to their life. I would not change a thing.

What would you say to other police officers or professionals?

As Police Officers we are very fortunate to be able to retire reasonably young and if you need a reason to be, then consider enquiring into fostering – wherever you are in the country, there is always a need locally. You will struggle to find a better cause and the satisfaction that can be achieved cannot be measured.