Nick and Nick

What encouraged you to foster?

Nick G: I was lucky enough to have a wonderful childhood with two loving parents. That sense of stability has stayed with me and makes me want to provide the same opportunity for a child who needs it.

Nick W: Early in my own life I experienced upheaval and uncertainty when I moved to a new home with a new stepfather. This made me acutely aware of the anxieties a child can experience during times of change. Ultimately, fostering for me is about providing a safe, secure and encouraging environment where a child can relax, openly discuss how they feel and air their fears.

You don’t have your own birth children. What experience did you have with children before you started fostering?

Nick G: I looked after my niece when she was young, taking her out to child-friendly places. I also helped look after a previous partner’s step brother and sister.

Nick W: I enjoyed organising outings and creative activities for my nieces and nephews when they were young. My mother also ran a playgroup and I would sometimes appear as Father Christmas.

What qualities do you think you bring to fostering?

Nick G: The qualities I bring to fostering are stability, security, understanding and encouragement.

Nick W: As a youngster in a family that fostered, I witnessed the emotional stress that children who come into care experience. I also had first hand experience of being in a situation where I lost my safe surroundings and was faced with completely new circumstances. So I can empathise with the children.

What have you learned from the placements you’ve had so far? 

We’re learning that every child we care for is unique and comes complete with their own set of circumstances and reasons for requiring care. We’ve also learned that patience and perseverance are the key to rewards in both our ongoing care ability, and also in the development of the young person in our care. In addition, a good sense of humour as well as common sense is useful and often required. Finally, it’s tiring, not just physically with the plans and schedules that are required within any family environment but emotionally tiring too. Support is key.

What have you enjoyed most about fostering?

Being involved in foster caring is just so rewarding and to be able to give something back is hugely satisfying. Taking an active and positive role in young people’s lives can be challenging but to witness that moment on a child’s face when they realise their true potential can be whatever they choose is truly breath-taking.

What advice do you have for other same-sex couples considering fostering?

Don’t be under the illusion that it would be more difficult for same sex couples to successfully become foster carers. This was the illusion we were under when we initially applied, but we went ahead and were delighted to realise that this would have no bearing on our application. Don’t be put off over thinking what a child may make of your relationship. We’ve looked after both boys and girls with ages ranging from 8 to 14, and we’ve never had any issues regarding this. The same can be said for their biological families too. Take advantage of the support given to assist your application, and following your approval. The advice we received from the application team taking us up to panel, other foster carers, including same sex carers (who subsequently became our mentors providing us with tried and tested advice) was also pivotal and second to none.

How well do you feel GCC has supported you as a same-sex couple?

The support has been both thorough and robust. We have been encouraged as a same sex couple throughout the application process leading up to becoming foster carers and beyond. Where we may have harboured preconceived ideas regarding potential implications as a same sex partnership, GCC have dispelled them and advised us in methods of due diligence, including safeguarding and thorough course training.