Rachel spent her career protecting vulnerable people. When she retired, she finally had the chance to do something she’d always wanted to do, foster. Here’s what she’s discovered in those early months.
from safeguarding to fostering
Rachel is 53, a mum to two grown-up children, Abbie, 21, and Reece, 22, both of whom still live at home. She spent her career in health and social care, working with people with learning disabilities and mental health needs before moving into safeguarding roles as a nurse. When she took early retirement, fostering wasn’t a new idea, it was a long-held goal she finally had the time to pursue.
“After retiring, I was able to follow my goal of fostering,” she says. “It was always something I wanted to do.”
Rachel chose respite fostering, a form of care that provides short-term breaks for children who are already in foster placements, giving their regular foster carers time to rest and recharge. It’s a vital but sometimes overlooked part of the wider fostering network.
what respite care looks like day-to-day
For Rachel, the key to good respite care starts before the child even arrives. She makes a point of finding out as much as possible about each child, their routines, their likes, what makes them feel comfortable, so that when they walk through the door, things feel familiar rather than strange.
“Respite care in our home is fun, safe, and welcoming,” she says. “I learn as much as I can about the child so I can maintain their routines and activities, and give new opportunities based on those.” That might mean ice skating, swimming, soft play, toddler groups, or a trip to the beach, experiences shaped around the child, not the other way around.
Meeting the child beforehand also makes a real difference. Rachel has now had two children placed with her, one aged 15, one a toddler and both settled quickly. “We have developed good rapport,” she says.
“Feedback I’ve been given is that it feels as if I’ve known the child for a lot longer.”
building trust in a short space of time
One of the things people find most surprising about Rachel’s approach is how quickly children settle with her. She puts it down to attentiveness, reading what a child needs, not just what they say.
“Understanding that communication takes many forms is important,” she explains. “What a child is saying and their body language may mean different things, and responding to that accordingly is key.” She also follows the child’s lead on trying new things, only when they’re ready, never before.
Her health & social care background gives her a strong foundation for this. All the way through the assessment process and beyond, she says, foster carers are supported and developed, making sure care is informed by research and best practice. “This helps to ensure that any foster care, including respite, is the best it can be.”
the difference respite makes
Respite care isn’t just about the children, it plays an equally important role in supporting the foster carers who look after them full-time. Rachel takes that responsibility seriously. She keeps routines as consistent as possible and stays in touch with a child’s regular carer throughout the placement, both to gather useful information and to give updates.
“By giving them a break, but also following their routines as far as possible, you’re helping the whole family not just the child,” she says.
It also surprises people, Rachel has found, that foster carers don’t have to commit to having a child placed with them full time. Respite care offers a way to make a meaningful difference that fits around your life.
what rachel enjoys most
For Rachel, it is the variety and the visible progress that she finds most rewarding. She loves doing activities with children, watching them grow in confidence, and trying new things together. And because some children come back to her for repeat stays, she gets to see that development continue over time.
“I will enjoy seeing the same child coming back and continuing their activities and care,” she says. There are also events through Foster Wales Wrexham where carers and children come together, moments that mean the relationships formed don’t have to end when a placement does.
what rachel would say to anyone considering it
Her advice is direct: pick up the phone. “Contact Foster Wales and have a discussion about fostering, you won’t regret it.” The support network, she says, is one of the things that stands out most, from coffee mornings and evenings to training sessions and events for both children and carers alike.
Being newly approved hasn’t dimmed her enthusiasm, if anything, it’s reinforced it. The process, the training, and the community around her have made her feel prepared and supported from day one.
If Rachel’s experience has sparked something for you, find out more about who can foster and what the journey looks like on our website, or read more stories from foster carers in Wrexham.
