Fostering is something that many people do for a long time. They welcome child after child into their homes. Sometimes, they care for the same child for years, on other occasions a child might only be with them for a night or two. Sometimes they might care for a baby, and sometimes a teenager who is not far from adulthood. All ages and situations bring challenges. If you are preparing to foster for the first time, you might not know what your first fostering assignment will be, so your home must be ready for everything.
Make Sure it’s Safe
If you know that a baby is on its way in the coming weeks, you’ll have time to babyproof your home. But you don’t always have much warning, so it can be a good idea to keep your home ready for anyone. Here are some of the safety precautions that you could take:
- Add stairgates and cupboard locks
- Move sharps out of reach
- Keep medicines and chemicals in locked cupboards
- Move things like washing detergent out of reach
- Check window and door locks
- Make sure your garden is secure
- Test all of your smoke alarms
- Check for choking hazards
- Move valuables out of reach
If you want to learn more about the home requirements, or anything else about fostering, check out fcascotland.co.uk for information.
Invest in a Good First Aid Kit
However old your foster children are, they are bound to have small accidents, like scraped knees from time to time. A first aid kit is a must when you have kids in the house.
Prepare a Bedroom for a Foster Child
You need to give them their own bedroom. This helps them to feel at home without overwhelming them.
Add Some Homely Touches and Comforts
Children of any age need comfort when they are in a new place with new people. Make sure the room has some comforting touches like soft blankets, cushions, and stuffed toys.
Leave Space for Personalisation
Some space for posters, empty frames and an empty shelf can give the child space and the encouragement to make the room their own.
Create a Welcome Box
A welcome box with things like books, basic toys, PJs, some sweets and treats and a toothbrush is a great way to break the ice and make their first night comfortable. Try to have a few boxes for different age groups ready at all times.
Make Sure Your Home is Clean and Tidy
A clean and tidy home will help them to feel safe and looked after. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but it should be presentable.
Stock Up on a Range of Food
Kids can be fussy eaters, so make sure you are stocked up with kids’ favourites, treats and some frozen family dinners so that you can feed them easily in the first few days.
Often when you foster, you’ll get a chance to speak to a social worker and learn more about the child, which gives you chance to prepare. But sometimes, a young child will need a short-term home very suddenly. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for anything as a foster carer.
This article was contributed to the Not In Jersey site. Thank you to the author.
