A Holmfirth couple have spoken out about the joys of fostering.
Stephen, 53 and Elizabeth Barnard, 51, say that life has ‘definitely begun again’ at 50 after they began taking in youngsters in need of temporary homes after their own birth children flew the nest.
And despite initial worries they have found that age was certainly no barrier to being accepted into the roles, through which they have so far fostered five children over the age of four.
They made the decision in 2012 to fill a gap in their lives after sons John and Richard left home for London and China and are now supporting Kirklees Council’s drive to find stable homes for 68 young people.
Elizabeth said: “You could say that we had something of a joint mid-life crisis.
“We’d always had a very busy, active family life and after our boys left home, we thought our lives would be a bit empty and without purpose.
“It was my husband who suggested we consider fostering but I was concerned we might be a bit too old. “This was compounded after we went on a training course and found we were the oldest there by more than a decade. “But we were encouraged by Kirklees, who said that our parenting experience was an advantage, and we were fully supported by them throughout the approval process.”
It was Stephen who then made the big step to quit his job as an assistant adult social care manager to become a full time paid foster carer to take care of their new family members.
They have fostered children for different amounts of time, even as little as three days, and are currently looking after two girls aged seven and 10 who are now likely to stay with them until they are old enough to live independently.
Stephen, said: “I’d enjoyed my job but asked myself whether I wanted to spend the next 15 years or so helping people from behind a desk.
“Then I spotted an advert asking people to consider foster caring as a career change and I wanted to find out more because I’d always perceived it as something largely done by stay-at-home mums.
“It’s transformed my life and opened up opportunities in ways I didn’t think possible.
“It means that as well as being able to pursue interests and hobbies whilst they’re at school, I’ve also been able to study for a Diploma in the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
“They are a big part of our lives and in many ways it feels like nothing much has changed since raising a family the first time around, only this time we had two additional family members, whose lives we know we are changing for the better.
“We’ve had our ups and downs with fostering but given the chance we would do it all again and we resolve our problems by talking them through with each other, our wider family and our social worker.”
Last year the council placed 50 people into care but those in need of a temporary home is rising year on year.
Kirklees Council have busted some of the myths around fostering
Here are some of them.
Myth: I am too old to foster.
Fact: Applicants will be considered irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
All that is asked is that applicants are in good health and physically able to meet the needs of the child.
Myth: People living in small rented houses cannot qualify.
Fact: A big house or even own home is not needed. All that is needed is for applicants to be in a long term tenancy in a well maintained property and have room for a child.
Myth: Foster caring is only an option for families with children.
Fact: Having your own children means you can bring knowledge and experience to fostering, but lots of children are successfully placed with foster carers who do not have children of their own.
Myth: I’ll have to give up my job if I become a foster carer.
Fact: Those looking after school age children can work outside of their home during school hours for up to around 18.5 hours a week but for younger children under five caring for them would be a full time job.
Myth: You have to be married or in a relationship to foster a child.
Fact: Single people as well as married couples and same sex couples can foster.
People from all different backgrounds are welcome to apply and can find out more information on Sunday, February 8 at Huddersfield Giants first match at the John Smith Stadium.
