The Rewarding Journey of Parent and Child Fostering with Calon Cymru

Barbara and Paul have been Parent and Child foster carers with Calon Cymru since the end of 2023.

Their decision to pursue this type of fostering stemmed from a desire to work together from home, combining their skills to make a positive impact in the lives of others

“We also thought it would be a good fit for our lifestyle,” Barbara explains. “The placements typically last around six months, which allows us to travel between placements and enjoy our time together.”

Both Barbara and Paul have brought a wealth of transferable skills to their fostering role. They have raised their two children, built skills through their professional lives, and have hosted several people from various backgrounds, including teenage au pairs. These experiences have equipped them well to support families in need.

To date, they have successfully completed two Parent and Child placements, as well as providing respite care for children and young people who live with other Calon Cymru foster carers. Each Parent and Child placement has offered unique challenges and rewards. Their first placement involved supporting a new mother with her baby, while their most recent placement included a family unit of a mum, dad, and their baby. You can read more about that placement here.

“We wanted to try to make a difference to people’s lives, and it feels like we are doing that. Our favourite thing about Parent and Child fostering is how rewarding it is to watch the child developing, whilst helping mum and/or dad develop their skills. Pay attention to what the mums and dads tell you.  The smallest detail can have significant impact on them, have a curious mind!”

At Calon Cymru, we are committed to investing in the training of all our foster carers. Alongside core and additional training, we offer several specialist courses designed specifically for Parent and Child foster carers to support their professional development. These courses cover vital topics such as perinatal mental health, substance misuse, learning disabilities, and domestic abuse. Furthermore, we collaborate with an accredited facilitator who delivers bespoke domestic abuse training tailored to the mothers who live with our foster carers.

Paul and Barbara haven’t looked back since they began their fostering journey and would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a career in fostering to get in touch with Calon Cymru.

“We would definitely recommend Parent and Child fostering.  It’s never boring and there’s always something new to learn. Go ahead and apply.  Your skill set could be just what is needed. Don’t doubt yourself.”