Daniel is a local council foster carer for Bath and North East Somerset Council. Watch his story or read on to learn more about him in this the first of our “Get to know our foster carers” series.
“We were really delighted that we were one of the families that she wanted to stay in contact with (us)”
Daniel, B&NES council foster carer
Today we meet Daniel, a foster carer for Bath and North East Somerset Council
When we met him, he shared why he believes fostering is so important to children and young people, “it gives them a chance to grow. They may have come from difficult circumstances, circumstances that they may not be old enough to truly understand, and by taking that child, or children, in, you’re able to give them firm ground to stand on, a platform so they can become successful adults.”
Deciding to become a foster carer is a big step, but for many, it’s driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in a child’s life. For Daniel, he shares that it was his wife who initially raised the idea, but something he supported very quickly. They’re motivations stemmed from loving having children around the house, and by fostering for their local council they could help the children who truly needed it.
When we speak to foster carers, they always have so many truly memorable moments from their time fostering, but for Daniel one of his favourite moments happened during his first placement. “My wife would be out… we’d hear the car come on the driveway, and he’d run up me and he’d say let’s hide… so me and him used to get in the cupboard and we’d hide in the cupboard and he’d laugh his head off… and we’d just burst out of the cupboard and it was just so much fun that we had that bond together.”
A question our team are frequently asked by prospective carers is do people stay in touch with the children they’ve fostered? Whilst this varies from carer to carer and child to child, Daniel shares that he and his partner have done this through one of the children that was in their care via Family Links and the pride at which they felt for this. “We were really delighted that we were one of the families that she wanted to stay in contact with, even though she no longer lived with us.
What would Daniel say to anyone thinking of becoming a foster carer? “Give it a heavy thought because it is a lifestyle change, it is a whirlwind, but it’s well worth it. I would say do it so you can really make a difference.”
As we wrap up this look into the lives of one of our fostering households, we hope their stories have moved you and shown just how much of a difference they make. Their dedication, kindness, and strength are truly inspiring, and we’re so thankful for everything they do. Stay tuned to meet more of these amazing individuals who make fostering possible. Together, we can support and celebrate the incredible work of our foster carers, making sure every child has the chance to grow up in a loving and caring home.
Interested in starting your fostering journey?
Get in touch with one of our experienced, friendly team to discuss your potential future as a foster carer…