FOSTERING
Open mind,
open heart
Whether they admit it or not, all
teenagers need love and guidance
as they start out in life. Foster carers
have the opportunity to provide
this support and no one knows this
better than Nina Samuel.
g
of seein
“The joy
n
o
g pe rs
a youn
the
in life is
h
is
r
u
o
fl
d in
t re wa r
greates
.”
this job
F
ourteen years ago, Nina
door. Since becoming
decided to apply to become
a foster carer, I realise
a foster carer with Ealing
society often sticks
Council. Since then she has
labels on foster children
fostered girls and young women of
as being problematic.
ages ranging from 14 to 21: Eight
My views have since
teenagers, six mothers with babies and changed. Foster children – like
numerous respite placements.
my own children – require love, stability
Nina, who lives in Acton, said:
and a chance to prove themselves.
“As a single parent with two young
daughters, I felt I had the capacity
‘MANY TWISTS AND TURNS’
to work with young people. A friend
“I get asked all the time, ‘how do
suggested I give fostering a go, so
you deal with teenagers?’ Everyone
after some thought I decided
experiences difficulty during
to apply with Ealing.
their teenage years, coping
“Like many, before I
with puberty, moving
n
of te
“Society
started fostering I had
into high school and
n
bels o
my misconceptions
dealing with peer
sticks la
as
hildren
c
r
about children in care
pressure. Although
te
s
fo
c.
blemati
o
r
– too many issues,
teenagers’ behaviour
p
g
bein
ave
h
s
sleepless nights and
can
be challenging
w
ie
My v
.”
d
police knocking on the
at
times,
this task
e
g
an
ch
can be made less
stressful if carers have
the right support. I’ve
found Ealing’s ongoing
support and training has
been great in assisting me in
my role as a foster carer.
“For someone considering fostering
teenagers, I would advise them to go
in with an open mind and an open
heart. It’s a journey with many twists
and turns, but ultimately the joy of
seeing a young person flourish in life is
the greatest reward in this job.”
BE THE SUPPORT
Could you be a foster carer like
Nina? Are you interested in finding
out more about fostering? View the
advert on the facing page, email
[email protected] or call
freephone 0800 731 6550.
around ealing
Autumn 2015
27