The first overnight

You've spent months filling in forms, doing interviews, having your home checked for safety and completed all necessary training. You've finally been approved as a foster carer!  The Family Link Plus (FLP) team have spent lots of time matching you with the right child; one that fits with your family, and one who you will be more than capable of looking after. You've also had the opportunity to meet the child's family, and you've had a few visits with the child themselves so that you can get to know one another.

All is set for the child's first overnight visit.  

You're excited to finally have them stay with you, so why are you so nervous and just a little bit terrified?  It's a big thing to look after someone's precious child overnight.  You want to get everything right. You make sure the bedroom looks welcoming, put in some of their familiar toys, add some great bedding (with glow in the dark planets!) and make sure you've got their favourite foods for tea.  You've got lots of information, you've got their medicine, you've tidied the house within an inch of it's life and realised that it never normally looks this good. You're all ready but you're still nervous.

That first night is always tricky. It's new to the child and it's new to you: They might ask for mum and want to go home, they might refuse your delicious home cooking because it doesn't look like the meals they have at home, they might not get to sleep or they might wake up and be upset. You know it's not personal, but you want to get it right so that they can feel safe and happy.

You'll have a few hiccups, but you learn together. You won't get it all right first time, but you'll gradually get into your stride and set up a routine that works for both of you. You'll have the unwavering support of the FLP team, who will be there throughout your journey to offer advice, reassure you and help you grow as a carer. As your relationship with the young person grows, things will become more familiar; You won't need to phone up and check things so often with their family, and rather than feeling nervous you'll really start to look forward to their visit without the trepidation.  You'll get to know each other really well and you'll become a home from home for them. 

For the family who get a bit of break, the child who gets a whole new group of people who find them fantastic, and you and your family who get to build new relationships that last - everyone will get more than you can possibly imagine from those short breaks.

Give a little time and make a big difference - become a Family Link Plus Foster Carer.