Salma
“Hi, I’m Salma - a Next Steps foster carer with Coventry. I enjoy fostering as you are helping young vulnerable children to have a better more balanced life .. to help heal any traumas or unmet needs they have. You are constantly learning and also enhancing yourself, you are part of a wider group and there is a great sense of belonging and kinship. I love fostering as it’s great to see young people who were or are in my care flourishing and being happy. It is such a rewarding role to have and I feel blessed to be part of their journey!!!
You can be a foster carer without having any specific qualifications, and you can be single or in a couple, any gender, race, ethnicity or sexuality and you don't need to have children of your own. As long as you are committed and have a spare room in your home you may be eligible.
There is a thorough induction and a range of core and bespoke training available and really good ongoing support from Coventry City Council. You are constantly learning and enhancing yourself. When you foster, you are part of a wider group and there is a great sense of belonging and kinship.
Fostering gave me the opportunity to help young, vulnerable children to have a better, more balanced life. To provide stability at a challenging time in their lives and help heal any traumas or unmet needs they have. It’s great to see young people who were, or are, in my care flourishing and being happy. It is such a rewarding role to have and I feel blessed that they are part of my family and to be part of their journey.
Fostering isn’t easy – every child has their own individual needs and early childhood experiences. No matter what they say or do, it’s not personal to you but you have the privilege of turning their life around and being the person that won’t give up on them".