Rugby woman who has transformed the lives of 40 children urges more residents to become foster carers

A Rugby woman has shared her story of being a foster carer for the last decade in the hope it encourages more residents to become foster carers.

63-year-old Helen Elward has provided specialist foster care for Barnardo’s for the last ten years.

Her own challenging childhood drove her to do something to help children and young people.

She said: “I spent quite a few years of my own childhood in care after my parents split up, and even ended up in a remand home because it was the only space available. Then I went to a national children’s home.

“That experience always stayed with me, so when my own children grew up I looked into the option of becoming a foster carer.

“I did mainstream fostering for two years and really enjoyed it, but it was quite a wrench when the children moved on after I’d been caring for them for so long.

“I liked the idea of shorter-term placements instead, which is where I was introduced to the Barnardo’s specialist foster care service.

“The charity provides every bit of background information on the young person so that you know what to expect, and there are no surprises.

“It gives you much more confidence in how to support them because you know what’s gone on in their lives. It helps you to help them.

“There’s also a great support network with other foster carers, and regular training and supervision.

“Also, Barnardo’s sees our own health and wellbeing as just as important as that of the young person, which is really reassuring.”

he foster placements can last from just a few days to several months.

Helen helps the young people to apply for jobs and enrol for college courses, and acts as an advocate to ensure their voice is heard during meetings to decide their future.

She also supports them during court appearances and liaises with local authorities and other agencies on their behalf.

Helen said: “Young people sometimes feel society has given up on them, so they give up on themselves.

“It’s amazing that so many people think that children only go into care because they’re bad people, but you should never be quick to judge.

“We tell the young people that doing a bad thing doesn’t necessarily make them a bad person. Sometimes they're just a good person who made a mistake, whether that’s getting involved with drugs or hanging around with the wrong crowd.

“Whatever’s happened, they come here with a clean slate.

“Some young people just treat us as a bed-and-breakfast as they know they’re going to be moving on soon, and we don’t hear from them again. That’s fine as it’s their choice.

“Others see it as a positive point in their lives and the opportunity to make important changes. They can talk about their problems if they want to, and we try to build their self-confidence and enable them to be the person they can be.

“Sometimes they just need someone to believe in them –perhaps they’ve never had that before.”

Many of the young people supported by Helen still keep in touch, even years later.

They like to keep her informed of the progress they’re making and their plans for the future.

Helen added: “People think of specialist foster care as challenging, but I just see it as rewarding. I’ve never regretted it.

“Yes, some of the young people are very angry, but their anger is aimed at their situation, not at us.

“It’s amazing to see the difference you can make in such a short space of time. We can help them to completely transform their lives.

“They’ve gone on to university, established their own businesses and started families. They just needed the right support at the right time.

“It makes you feel very, very proud of them”.

Helen sharing her story comes as the Barnardo’s BRICS (Bail & Remand Intensive Care & Support) celebrates more than 25 years of changing the lives of some of Warwickshire's most vulnerable young people.

The group has supported more than 500 young people since its creation.

The charity’s specialist foster carers provide a safe and secure home environment for young people referred from the youth justice service.

To mark its milestone, the charity is inviting more residents to consider joining the team.

It is looking for potential foster carers from across the county who are willing to support young people aged from ten to 18 years old.

One local foster carer said: “It’s amazing to see the difference you can. We can help them to completely transform their lives. They just need the right support at the right time.”

Barnardo’s BRICS is part of the charity’s West Midlands Family Placement Service.

Barnardo’s practice manager Vanessa Yates said: “The aim of the project is to provide consistent care and to help young people move away from offending and towards more positive choices.

“This can be helping them into education or employment, building a supportive friendship group or regaining contact with their family.

“It’s challenging but immensely rewarding work.”

Applications are welcome from people of all ages and backgrounds, with police checks and personal references sought as part of the assessment process.

Specialist foster carers receive regular training, including how to manage risky behaviour and how to use de-escalation techniques, as well as ongoing support and supervision from Barnardo’s staff.

Detailed risk assessments are always carried out before any placements are made, and there is access to additional help at any time of the day or night if needed.

Specialist foster carers receive a continuous fee throughout the year and have 28 days leave plus extra breaks.

Vanessa added: “Some of the carers say it’s like gaining a second family, and many of the young people like to keep in touch to let their carers know how they’re getting on - they’re proud of the progress they’ve made.

“One former carer was contacted several years later to be invited to a young man’s wedding, and was even called ‘nanna’ by another young person’s child, which was lovely.

“For some of the young people, it was their first experience of a supportive family and they’re forever grateful.”

Call 0276 641 206, email [email protected] or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster