Step 5 - Your First Fostering Placement

What do you buy?

Having another child or children in your home means there are more mouths to feed, and minds to entertain... It's always a good idea to stock up on cupboard staples - cereals, snacks, pasta, etc. Another good idea to to have age-appropriate games and films. Depending on the type of placement, it's always a good idea to have an emergency kit, this can help a child or young person to feel welcome. This can include things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, PJ's, a set of clothes, and possibly an age appropriate toy or book. You may not know too much about the child or children until very close to them arriving, so it's always good to keep things as generic as possible.

it's always a good idea to stock up on essential medicines and first aid supplies too.

Preparing your Foster Child's personal space

Getting a bedroom ready for a new arrival, can be both exciting and nerve wracking, it doesn't matter if you're new to fostering or a seasoned professional! Some tips to prepare for this are:-

Know the Requirements

This is probably the least fun part, but the most important! Foster children must be given their own bedrooms unless you are fostering siblings – then they will often be able to share.

It’s also important to consider safety and the child’s age when it comes to furniture like beds and desks. Make sure the furniture you give them is sturdy and age appropriate.

it is hoped that you will be given enough information to prepare for the child or children's arrival, but this is not always the case. Ensure the bedroom is clean and tidy, with appropriate bedding.

Don’t forget to include essential toiletries, like a toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner. It’s also a good idea to have a small selection of clothing basics in various sizes, and some spare towels.

Be Flexible

You may not know much about your child’s preferences before they arrive, so it’s best to stick to a neutral palette and keep decorations to a minimum. Let your child decorate their own room – it will help them feel more at home in their space.

You may be able to get some information about what your child likes before they arrive from your Supervising Social Worker. We will have already shared all the information we have with you when we approached you about the placement. By finding out as much information as we can about the child's likes and dislikes, will enable you put together a couple of things for the room that you think they’ll like.

You may not know much about your child’s preferences before they arrive, so it’s best to stick to a neutral palette and keep decorations to a minimum. Let your child decorate their own room – it will help them feel more at home in their space.

You may be able to get some information about what your child likes before they arrive from your Supervising Social Worker. We will have already shared all the information we have with you when we approached you about the placement. By finding out as much information as we can about the child's likes and dislikes, will enable you put together a couple of things for the room that you think they’ll like.

Give your Foster Child Space to Express Themselves

Make it easy for your child to make the space their own with some arts and crafts supplies. White boards, peg boards and chalk boards are also great ways to give your child a chance to make the room feel more their own.

Focus on Comfort

One thing you can do before your child arrives is to add comfort. Soft bedding, throw pillows, comfy chairs, or beanbags can all make the room feel homely and welcoming – and are easy for your child to rearrange if they want to.

Functionality

You might not be able to do too much by way of decorating, but you can make sure your child has a space that meets their needs. Younger children need room to play, while older children need a desk and supplies for homework.

Include small essentials, like hangers for their clothes, bins for storing toys, a bedside lamp for reading, and toiletries. Children coming into a new home might feel shy about asking for something to eat, so it’s also a good idea to leave out a few simple (and non-perishable) snacks.

Mustn't forget Safety!

Consider the age of your foster child – do you need to do any baby-proofing or rearranging of furniture and other household items? Lock away valuables, chemicals, and medicines, and don’t forget common household items that could be dangerous, like cleaning products and hair dye. Number padlocks are handy as you can’t lose the keys!

Time to get your House in Order

Have a good tidy up to clear away clutter, pack away any items that you wouldn’t want to get broken or go missing, and explain to your own children about keeping their personal belongings safe. Remember that foster children come from difficult backgrounds and may be prone to acting out, so tucking these items away will help keep them safe.

The fostering standards guidelines state that homes must be warm, be adequately furnished and maintained to a good standard of cleanliness. Look at your living space with fresh eyes: is there room for everyone in your household to gather comfortably? Will the child feel at home? Will they have room to play and relax?

Getting the Family Ready

Once your placement has been confirmed, it's time to get the family ready! Gather the other members of your household - your partner, children, or lodgers and discuss what to expect and how you plan to handle common situations, like privacy, appropriate dress, bathroom sharing or meal schedules. You’ll have had discussions like these throughout your assessment, but it’s good to go over expectations once more before your foster child arrives.

When preparing for your first foster care placement, it’s important to remember that whilst it might be exciting for you, it’s a scary time for the child! With patience, kindness and showing that you offer safety and stability, mutual trust will begin to evolve.