Mary keeps on caring

Mum of three Mary worked as a carer for older people but didn’t want to retire after her sons left home.

Instead she found a new ‘Focus’ caring for some of Salford’s most vulnerable children.

Focus foster carers look after children aged five to 18 with complex support needs. It can be demanding to provide a stable and caring home to a child who may not have experienced that before but as Mary and husband Peter agree, it’s extremely rewarding.

Having friends who are foster carers, Mary and Peter already had some idea what to expect and felt they had a lot to give to a child in need.

“We decided to go for it rather than regret never even trying. Once we were told a child was coming I checked their room a hundred times. I even practiced how I would smile when I opened the door to them,” she said.

“I was worried they wouldn’t like me or that they wouldn’t settle but now I know most new foster carers feel like that. When our little one came to the door with their bags and a social worker there was no going back.

“It's not always been easy but you learn how to deal with situations that arise with the help of the Focus fostering team and from other experienced carers. When you begin to understand what some of these children have been through it’s hard to comprehend but it made me more determined to carry on.

“There have been some amazing times and I can see the difference we are making. If someone asked me would I foster again I would say yes. The only difference is that I would have done it sooner.”

To become a Focus foster carer you will need experience of caring for children or vulnerable adults, a spare bedroom and no other children under 16 at home.

One adult must be available full time to care for the child and work with the Focus team. You will receive comprehensive training, 24/7 support from a team of professionals, and will have regular meetings with your social worker and other Focus foster carers. You will be paid weekly while the child is with you, equivalent to a full year allowance of £28, 485 to £31, 298 tax free depending on the age of the child.

Call 0161 799 1268, email at salfordfoster@salford.gov.uk or visit www.salford.gov.uk/foster