Tanya had always wanted to foster, feeling there were children ‘out there’ in need of a safe and loving home. The time had to be right, though, to fit around work commitments and to make sure that both her and Dave had the space in their lives, as well as in their home, to foster.
The fostering journey begins…
Tanya explains:
‘We wanted to do respite fostering for our first year, to learn more about how things work, before taking on either short or long term placements. We had two boys for whom we provided respite care – and still do – this was a really good way to start our fostering career. Prior to the first placement, we had met the boys, so this helped things along, too.
Our next placement – planned to be long term – was introduced slowly – this was partly because of covid restrictions but also because neither the short term foster carers nor ourselves were in a rush. This again helped the settling in process greatly and we were all very fortunate to be in this position. Ethan was 12 when he came to us, having been with this foster family for almost two years. When he asked them why they hadn’t found a new home for him, they told him ‘we will only let you go to someone who loves you as much as we do!’
He still maintains contact with them and visits for tea once a week – and occasionally stays over, too, which is great for all concerned .’
Fast forward to the present…
It is hoped that Ethan will now live with Tanya and Dave on a permanent basis, though this is yet to be officially confirmed. He shared with Tanya and Dave that he’d felt as though his life had been on ‘pause’ previously, but that now, ‘play’ has been pressed.
For Tanya and Dave, this is heartwarming news and for them, this means ‘the last piece of Ethan’s life jigsaw’ is now in place.
If you have space in your home and in your life to foster please get in touch www.northyorks.gov.uk/fostering
We’d love to hear from you!
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