Fostering - "challenging but hugely rewarding" say local couple

CHALLENGING but hugely rewarding '“ that's the conclusion a Bexhill couple who are among foster carers in East Sussex who have been talking about their experiences as part of Foster Care Fortnight.

The Fostering Service run by East Sussex County Council is using the national Foster Care Fortnight event to promote its work in the county and also appeal for new foster carers.

The East Sussex Fostering Service was recently rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted. It currently looks after more than 360 children. It has more than 250 foster carers and is always on the look out for more '“ particularly those who might be interested in looking after older children aged 10+ or brother and sister groups.

Lyn and Kenny Kemp from Bexhill are two of those carers.

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Lyn said: "We love the challenges of fostering '“ there are lots of different ones. We fostered a girl, a teenager who had lots of problems, and over time we managed to help her overcome all of these and her life was almost completely turned around. It made her feel good about herself and we felt proud we had managed to help her."

Tim and Penny McCredie from Wadhurst became foster carers because they wanted more children. Penny said: "We had our first child then I had an ectopic pregnancy and we weren't sure we would have any more. That's when we first thought about fostering, we wanted to do something positive for other people's children, to give them a good start in life.

"We love seeing the changes we see in the children as they get more settled, make friends of their own, seeing them grow and develop so they are in a better position when they leave."

It's a similar story for Tracey Brown and Chris Coward from Northiam. Tracey said: "We felt we could offer a needy child a home and we wanted to help other people. Also, as a mixed race couple we knew that there was a need for more foster carers of different ethnicity. Fostering has enriched the lives of us all and particularly our children as it's helped them to realise that not everyone is as fortunate as themselves."

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In Eastbourne, Pam and Dale Wootton became foster carers because they wanted a challenge and also because they wanted to make a difference. Pam said: "It can be a challenge to get boundaries and routines in place and you have to be very clear, consistent and very patient. But we love fostering; I am thrilled when I see their little faces light up at something they like and I also love it when they run out of school at the end of the school day and give you a big hug."

County cabinet lead member for children and families Cllr Meg Stroude said: "People go into fostering for all sorts of different reasons but the one thing they all share is the desire to help make the life of a young person better. Our foster carers do a magnificent job and we can't thank them enough for the dedication, commitment and love they give to so many children and young people."

More information about fostering is available on 01323 747499 (24 hr answer phone) or by visiting www.eastsussex.gov.uk/fostering.

People can also get more information about foster and speak to foster carers at a

fostering open evening from 7pm to 9pm on Monday in the caf on the first floor of the White Rock Theatre at Hastings.