Fostering after a healthcare career

 Now, at home with her husband and adult daughter, Dionne is fostering two toddlers.  

Dionne shares her experience of becoming a foster carer

"My husband and I have two children in their twenties. When they were little, we said we would love to foster," explains Dionne. "But, we only had two bedrooms, so we had to wait until one of our own children moved out. When they did, then we wanted to help as many foster children as we can."

Of course, leaving a career she was in for two decades was a big step for Dionne

But now, she has no regrets and is glad she took the leap.

“For me, it was for the best. Sometimes you work somewhere too long, you need to do something different. And it got to that point. I didn't want to hate my job. I wanted to leave on a on a good note. And I did!” 

Dionne decided to become a full-time foster carer, but it's a flexible role. Different types of fostering are available. Laura, a budding nurse, is also a foster carer who balances foster care with her day job. Once a month, Laura cares for Lizzie, a young girl with disabilities.

Currently, Dionne’s family are caring for two siblings. Her family are already seeing the positive difference they're making for the children.

“The routine was a big change for us, but we have settled really well. We had to install the stair gates and safety plugs and all of those things! 

“I’ve got a little dog called Theo, we’ve had to make sure he would be OK with children and luckily, he is. He loves the children!” Dionne laughs.  

“He thinks he’s a little therapy dog. If they’re upset, he’ll come over. He puts his head on them, as if to say; ‘I’ll look after you.”  

For Dionne, becoming a foster carer supported her mental health

“My mental health is a lot better because of fostering. I was working full-time 13-hour day and night shifts in a hospital. Looking after foster children is 24/7 hours a day, but you set a routine in your own home.”  

Even though foster care is always on, it is rewarding. “You’re at home looking after them, going out and doing nice things with the children and having family time.” 

Every one of Essex County Council's foster carers has a support network

When you foster with Essex, you join a community. You have access to bespoke training courses plus 24/7 support from local social workers. Dionne has found her local foster carers a huge help since becoming a foster carer.

“I have a foster buddy who lives near me. We paired up and have become really good friends since. She’s been messaging asking how everything is going, do we need any help? Then once we knew we would have two children with us, they have asked if we have everything we need.”  

“The social work team have been really supportive too.”  

And finally – what would Dionne say to someone thinking about becoming a foster carer?

Simply - “Do it! It’s the best decision we have ever made.”