Foster carers stories

My name is Mia. I’m 14 years old and am in S3 at high school. I’ve lived with my foster carer Kirsteen for almost 3 years. 

It’s good being in a foster family, but sometimes it’s difficult because there are new children who come to stay and you just get to know them, and they leave.  

In my experience, a good foster carer should be a good listener and show you that they care for you.  They support you when you face challenges. 

I feel part of the wider family and Kirsten has built positive relationships with my first family. Kirsteen listens to me all the time. She stands up for me and is very welcoming to me. I feel settled into the house and I know I will be there for a while. 

Seeing my Gran was a challenge, but Kirsteen helped. Joining a new school was difficult, but Kirsteen helped. She has helped me take part in football clubs after school and she has supported me to see the dentist.  And I got to go on holiday. We’ve had 3 holidays - one to Disneyland which was really good. 

Kirsteen has made me a more confident person. I used to sit with my hood up all the time and hardly speak. Now I speak a lot!  Kirsteen has helped me to see my Papa and go to watch the football with him. I was also able to change my surname with Kirsteen’s help. 

I want to go to college when I leave school, and I know Kirsteen will help with that as well as school.  My goal is to become independent one day and travel around on my own on the bus.  Living with Kirsten and being in foster care is not as bad as you think. It can be challenging sometimes, but there are lots of good times. If you need support you can trust your carer. Don’t be scared. It will be hard at first, but it gets easier along the way.

*All names have been changed to protect identities

READ MIA'S FOSTER CARER KIRSTEEN'S STORY...