Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Birth childs perspective case study : Bob Julier

Being a foster carer involves the whole family and Stockton Council is highlighting the important role that birth children of foster carers play during its Sons and Daughters' Week (w/c 24 October 2011). 

Bob Julier, 18 is the birth child of foster carers who have been fostering for Stockton Borough Council for two years. In these two years the family have fostered eight children as short term and respite placements.

Bob was 13 when his parents first considered fostering and he remembers sitting down as a family with his two sisters who are now 10 and 21 to discuss if they were happy to foster. They decided not to foster any children older than six so that they were younger than Bob's youngest sister.

He says: "When my parents first mentioned fostering to me I was excited as I had always been brought up around kids as my mum is a childminder and I just thought of it as having more kids around the house. Our parents made sure that we were aware of everything that would happen and they said that they wouldn't have gone ahead with it if we weren't happy about the situation."

The first placement the family had was a toddler who found it difficult to relate to men.

Bob says: "At first I found it hard as he didn't want to stay close to me but after a little while he began to get used to being around men. Seeing the changes and progress in the children we look after is the most rewarding part of fostering."

Bob enjoys helping out with the children and takes them to the park and provides support to his parents.

He says: "I have enjoyed fostering a lot more than I expected I would and it has really given me an insight into parenting. It has made me grateful for what we have as a family and I like to think that we are doing something to help the children who need it and are able to give a child a good start in life."

Bob has also spoken to people interested in fostering at preparation groups that the council organises. This allows the group to hear a birth child's perspective on fostering and understand the support that their own birth children will receive.

Bob has good advice for anyone considering fostering: "The most important thing is to treat the kids as they are your own. We always make a big effort at Christmas for the kids and like to give them the best possible experience so we decorate the house and make it very special for them."

Bob has just started studying for a sports degree at University as he hopes to become a PE Teacher but he says that he would also consider fostering himself when he is older.

If you would like more information about fostering and adoption call Stockton Council's Child Placement team on (01642) 526218 or visit www.stockton.gov.uk/fostering or www.stockton.gov.uk/adoption.

 

Bob Julier, a birth-child of foster carers talks to BBC Tees drivetime presenter Neil Green about his perspective on fostering. Listen to the interview with Bob Julier (4124KB, .mp3).