5 Characteristics You Need to Be a Successful Foster Carer

There’s no denying how much of a shortage there is for foster carers in the UK. Every year, thousands of children up and down the country need foster carers because they cannot live with their own families. Like with any job that involves working with kids, fostering comes with its challenges. While there are obstacles to overcome, fostering is incredibly rewarding.

If you want to make a positive impact on children’s lives and believe you’re up to the job, here are some of the mandatory characteristics you will need to be a successful foster carer. 

Empathy 

Children who are in care will cope with the situation in many different ways. While some are able to get quickly accustomed to their new surroundings, others may find it incredibly difficult. If you plan to foster, having great levels of empathy is essential. Those who are naturally empathetic will understand that these children aren’t bad people. Instead, they’re just scared, hurting, or confused about what is happening. 

Patience 

Patience is a must-have skill for fostering children. You need to understand that changes won’t happen overnight. When you welcome a child into your home, it’s going to take a lot of time for them to adjust and feel comfortable. During this time, you need to stay committed to helping the child and providing plenty of love, warmth, and support. Some kids might have difficulties expressing themselves and require expert help to improve their communication skills, so you need to be prepared for the journey ahead. Being a foster carer means you cannot give up easily.  

Excellent Communication 

Excellent communication skills are mandatory for fostering children. Being chatty and friendly is one thing. But knowing how to communicate with children on their level is a whole other story. Young kids and teens communicate differently from adults. Match Foster Care are a fostering agency in Worcester who can train you on how to become a foster parent. They have the training and tools needed to help children achieve their full potential.  

Resilience 

Heartbreakingly, children in foster care may have experienced neglect, abuse, domestic violence, or the loss of a loved one. Living through such traumatic events can lead children down the path of using destructive coping methods to deal with their emotions. With that said, foster carers need to have a thick skin and be able to deal with all kinds of challenging behaviours. If there’s one piece of advice we can give, it’s to never take things personally.  

Conflict Resolution 

Remaining calm in stressful situations is a key skill foster carers need. There will be moments of friction, especially in the early days so you need to deal with the problem correctly. Ultimately, the children in your care need lots of kindness and support. But, they still need to respect boundaries and follow rules. It’s going to take time for the child to become accustomed to your way of living. Once they do, you can both live in harmony.  

Foster carers do a truly incredible job by opening up their homes and hearts to children in need. If you possess the attributes above and believe you can make a difference in a child’s life, now may be the time to look into fostering.