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Katie is a care-experienced member of the Futures Group Joint Fostering Panel. She first came into care around age 12 and stayed in the care system until she was 18. In this interview she reflects honestly on her time in care, her transition to independence, and how her experiences shaped her journey into adulthood, education and work, including roles that help other young people.
AN INTERVIEW WITH 'KATIE'
Please can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I went into care at about 12 years old. Initially I was placed in residential care, then with a foster carer for a few months before returning home. A short time later I went back into care, where I stayed until I was 18. When I left care, I moved into semi-independent accommodation and then into my own place at around 18 or 19.”
What was it like leaving care and living independently?
“It was a lot to manage at a young age. Getting my own place was exciting, but it also came with responsibility. I had to grow up quite quickly and learn how to manage everything myself.”
Did you continue your education?
“Yes. I completed my A-Levels and then went to university. Education became very important to me. I didn’t want my circumstances to define me, just because I had been in care didn’t mean I couldn’t do well for myself.”
How did your time in care shape you?
“I think I’ve taken something from each experience and each person who supported me. It shaped my independence, my resilience and my ambition.”
How did you become involved in fostering panels?
“I got involved in Foster Panels to share my lived experience. At first I didn’t fully appreciate the responsibility, but over time I realised how important it was. Being able to use my experience to help other young people felt meaningful.”
What advice would you give to a young person in care?
“Success doesn’t necessarily mean going to university or having a traditional career. Success is whatever you define it as. Focus on what matters to you and work towards it.”
What would you say to someone thinking about fostering?
“Make sure you’re doing it for genuine, child-focused reasons. Children can sense authenticity, and that really matters, especially during difficult moments.”
Myth Five: You must be in a relationship to foster.
Your marital status is not a factor in becoming a foster carer. We have foster carers from different backgrounds, some are single carers, and others foster as a couple (whether married or living together, with or without children).
Myth Four: Teenagers in care are more difficult to foster than younger children.
This is not true. Fostering teenagers is similar to looking after every other teenager and often can be less challenging than caring for younger children.
Myth Two: You must be older.
You must be over 21 to become a foster carer but there is no upper age limit to foster and there is no age requirement to look after a teenager. What's important to us is that you have the time to dedicate to a young person.
There are often some myths that come with fostering teenagers
Myth Three: You cannot work whilst fostering teenagers.
You can still work whilst fostering although fostering will need to take priority. We would need to look into how many hours you work, your employer's flexibility and the ages of children you are fostering. Teenagers are generally more independent which would give you more flexibility to work.
Myth One: You must be experienced to foster teenagers.
You do not need to be an experienced carer to foster teenagers. We offer training and 24/7 specialist support from our Social Work team, so you feel confident enough to tackle anything. Fostered teenagers are at a fundamental stage of life, on the verge of independence, and your guidance and support can help them make the best transition into adulthood.
"We want children to achieve their potential, no matter where they come from or what challenges they meet along the way."
Nick Barnsby, Director
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