The first year of fostering a child can be both exciting and nerve-racking. The good news is that you can find out a bit more about what to expect below. 

The Fostering Journey

In the first year of fostering, it’s important to remember that it’s a journey rather than a destination. What this means is there’ll be a lot of changes you’ll need to adapt to in your life, and it can take you some time to get used to them.

The first part of the journey is to make sure you clearly know what all your responsibilities as a foster care provider will be before you bring a child into your home. You will also need to pass a fostering assessment. It’s also important at this stage to do any courses that your local council has prescribed for foster parents; this includes a fostering training course and a first Aid certificate. Then you will be ready in case an emergency happens once a foster child is placed in your care.

After you have completed the necessary training and assessment process, you may be approved to foster children in your home. This part of the journey will include getting used to communicating regularly with the foster agency and providing them with information on how your charge is adapting to life in your home. 

Preparing Your Home

Another thing that you will need to expect to do in the first year of fostering a child is to prepare your home. This should include creating a welcoming bedroom which is comfortable and allows the child to relax. It’s also important to make sure that your home environment is as safe as possible, storing anything that could be potentially harmful out of the way. 

Additionally, you will need to make sure that the child you are fostering has everything they need to be comfortable in their daily life. This will include providing them with a school uniform, school supplies, clothes for outside of school, sleepwear, and toiletries. 

Fostering And Your Career

Something else that you should expect in the first year of fostering is some changes to your work schedule. Now that may lead you to ask the question – Can I become a foster carer and still work? The answer is yes, and you can read more about this by clicking the link, but you will need to discuss your work situation with the foster agency and ensure that it lines up with your responsibilities and that you can provide consistent daily support, as this is what your foster child will need. 

Support And Resources Available For First-Time Foster Parents 

There are plenty of resources available for foster parents throughout their journey, as well as in their first year. Your first stop should always be the agency that you are working with, as you are both part of the same team and have the foster child’s best interest in mind. Then there are support groups that can be incredibly useful for foster parents, both new and old, as you can share and learn from others who have been through similar experiences. Some foster parents even choose to work with a professional therapist or counsellor, especially in their first year or if there is a specific challenge they are looking to overcome.