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This is My Team Fostering - Liz's Story

11 September 2020

This September, we’re exploring what Team Fostering means to the many different people who know us best. Our foster carers, our staff and the young people we support all share their views in a brand-new campaign; ‘This is My Team Fostering’.

It’s important to everyone at Team Fostering that the staff team are happy, healthy and motivated. We aim to maintain high standards of employee satisfaction and well-being across our 5 offices, and recently, we were awarded the Better Health At Work Bronze Standard Award in the North East. You might even have seen some of our positive staff comments on social media with the #MyTeamFostering hashtag.

But what about when times are tough? We asked Liz Fenton, Principal Placements Officer in Yorkshire and the East Midlands to tell us how Team Fostering supported her in 2020 to make the right changes to support her young family and balance her demanding job.

“It has been difficult these last few months for everyone for many different reasons.  It’s been particularly challenging for me looking after a very active three-year-old little girl, who has struggled with the change from seeing her family (especially nanny and cousins) and friends on a daily basis, to just me and her dad.”

“I have tried to ensure she is emotionally well, kept active and mentally stimulated as well as trying to work from home.  I am now mum, wife and Principal Placements Officer all under one roof… it has felt like the impossible at times and in many ways I felt like I need to be Superwoman (which I am not!)”

But with my colleagues, I have laughed, cried and reached out for help. They have provided me with a regular shoulder to cry on (through video-calling and WhatsApp), they’ve made suggestions and given me advice, and they have allowed me to alter my working pattern temporary to accommodate my family, which made a huge difference. They’ve supported me to feel more like I can be Superwoman (as you’ll see in the picture!).”

“I think Team Fostering are very people-focused – they always try to do their best for staff and carers, and our not-for-profit status means a lot to me, as I know what we are doing is for the benefit of the children, carers and staff. This is my Team Fostering.”

You can read more more about the 'This is My Team Fostering' campaign here, and follow it on social media using the #MyTeamFostering hashtag.

To find out more about fostering with Team Fostering, give us a call on 0800 292 2003; live chat with us here on our website, or leave us an enquiry here