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Watch Them Smile Care in the Community and Fostering

Over the years, Jean Sellers noticed that when her teenage children had their friends to visit they were forever coming to her with their problems. It was recognising this talent that led her into the rewarding world of fostering.



The desire to have a fulfilling career working with children and young people is what prompted Jean, from Essex, to give up her full time job as an office administrator and carve out a new career looking after foster children.



Her story is one of inspiration as she recounts the highs and lows she has shared with the children and young people she has looked after since she began fostering four years ago with Foster Care Associates -- the UK's8217;s leading independent foster care agency. It is the commitment of the staff and 24-hour support from the agency that she believes has helped her and her family to work so positively with the children and young people.



Jean explains: 's8220;It really is a team effort and the staff at FCA are always on the end of the phone offering advice and guidance whenever I need it.'s8221;



She also has the full support of her husband Geoff and her two children because fostering is a family task which involves all the family, at some level.



Jean says that the greatest reward is to see these young people happy and smiling again. 's8220;When they first arrive they are usually very withdrawn and shy. We just give them time and personal space to adapt to their new home. Of course, it's8217;s not always easy and the behaviour can be challenging on occasions, but once you establish a good relationship and see the smiles on their faces, it's8217;s all worth it.



's8220;We have fostered six children over the past four years and each young person has given us a different experience,'s8221; comments Jean.



At the moment, Jean is the primary carer for two teenagers aged 13 and 14 years. One has learning difficulties, which means Jean spends a lot of time meeting with school staff and talking through his complex needs to ensure that he gets the right level of support in the classroom. Jean's8217;s other foster child is doing well at school and excels at sports. Working closely with a team of professionals from FCA including social workers, education liaison officers, resource workers and therapists, both teenagers are making steps towards achieving their full social and academic potential.



Prior to living with Jean, some of the children endured emotional and physical turmoil and, as a consequence their self confidence was very low. Part of the Sellers's8217; family role was to help build the young people's8217;s self esteem and encourage them to integrate into the local community. The children and young people enjoy all sorts of interests ranging from local clubs and sporting activities through to cinema trips, days out and family holidays.



Geoff Sellers adds: 's8220;We have loads of fun with the young people we look after and so many happy memories.'s8221;



The Sellers's8217; family story is a shining example of the quality and level of care FCA strives to deliver to over 2000 foster children across the UK. Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer should contact FCA Southend office on 01702 421155 or FCA freephone 0800 085 2225. Enquiries can also be made by visiting the website www.thefca.co.uk



In order to protect the people mentioned in this article all names have been changed.



For further information contact:

Louise Withers

M3 Communications (FCA press office)

Tel: 01902 771130

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