MILITARY BACKGROUNDS PROVIDE EXCELLENT ‘TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS’ POTENTIAL FOR FOSTER CARE
23.07.10
Catherine Rioda, Head of Practice with Pathway Care East England, says that such well trained individuals possess “transferable skills” that make them potentially excellent candidates for a career in fostering.
“In the UK there is an estimated shortage of 10,000 foster carers and it is very important to address this and get these children into a safe and supportive environment.
“Every year around 24,000 ex-service men and women leave the armed forces in the UK and look to find a job on civvy street. In recent years, this has become a much harder task given the high levels of national unemployment and a glut of highly qualified and experienced executives looking for work, not to mention many thousands of unemployed graduates.”
“The Ministry of Defence says that 96% of people leaving the military find employment within six months. However, ForceSelect, a specialist recruitment agency, estimates that there are currently around 50,000 unemployed ex-forces personnel in Britain.
“The skills and qualities that are instilled in servicemen and women - such as leadership, loyalty, being a reliable team player and looking out for your colleagues – are traits that would assist in the development of both young children through to teenagers.”
For ex-RAF aircraft maintenance engineer Sergeant John Bennett and his wife Jenny, who live in Huntingdon, their ‘transferable skills’ were looked on favourably in their application to foster with Pathway Care. Jenny, who has worked in a wide range of childcare roles for nurseries, crèches and after-school clubs, said: “I’ve always worked with children and the prospect of a new focus appealed to both of us.”
John served 22 years with the RAF. His career began at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk servicing Phantom aircraft that were previously used on the American carrier fleet. John recalls: “Designed in the 60s, they were absolutely solid machines – very hard wearing and reliable…..they needed to perform in all weather conditions.”
Following three years at RAF Wattisham he transferred to nearby RAF Honington, initially servicing aircraft between flights before transferring to deep strip and modification programmes. Three years later he moved to RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, then finally to RAF Marham where he stayed for 12 years before leaving the service in 2006 and now works within the aviation industry.
John’s interest in fostering was initially sparked by a sister who has fostered for many years. “Her experiences gave us an insight into the good and the more challenging aspects of the role. Whilst we wanted to foster, it was not really an option whilst serving in the air force as we lived in married quarters which were based on the size of our own family. Also I could be away for four months of the year and that would not have been ideal.
“Throughout my career in the air force I received ongoing training which develops a wide range of inter-personal and management skills - all of which lend themselves to fostering. I would say to anyone leaving the air force it is well worth considering as a future career.
“With a pension from my service career I am lucky to have the option to work part time and, with our own daughters now older, being able to provide a good home for other children is wonderful.”
Jenny takes up the story. “We took the decision to foster in 2006 and attended a three day foster care course which ostensibly informed us what we were letting ourselves in for! Some of those attending the course dropped out at this point deciding that it was not a role for them. The next step was to undergo an assessment process which looks into your life story in great detail.”
Pathway Care’s Catherine Rioda says that the recruitment process is necessarily quite involved. She said: “The designated Supervising Social Worker who undertakes the interviews will be a highly skilled and experienced assessor, who will support potential foster carers every step of the way. This process is a way of identifying and highlighting the many skills and personal qualities a person can bring to a career in fostering.”
Pathway Care has to undertake checks on you and your family with the Criminal Records Bureau, Local Authorities and other agencies, as well as requiring a full medical check from your GP. You will also be asked to provide three referees who are non-family members who can comment on your suitability to become a foster carer.
The next stage is an intensive preparation to foster training course which provides an opportunity to learn more about fostering, the situations that may arise and the correct actions to take, as well as the opportunity to meet other people who are also going through the fostering process.
Step three – once the assessment is complete – is an independent panel which reviews the assessment and upon which recommendations are made. After a successful outcome at panel you will be a registered foster carer with Pathway Care.
Jenny recalls: “We were finally approved to foster in December 2006,” adding “our first placements arrived in January 2007 – a young brother and sister aged four and one respectively. It was a bit daunting at first but you soon get over that. They were with us nine months before they left for adoption. We then went four months before receiving our second placement in February 2008: three sisters aged three, four and five. We have formed a really good bond with them and have successfully gone to panel to foster them permanently.
“As you would expect there is – like in any family – a bit of rivalry among the girls. From when they first came to us they are now very different being far more confident and having developed their individual personalities. They go to school locally and are very much ‘girly girls’ but enjoy going to a martial arts group each week known as Tang Soo Do.
“Our own two daughters Jessica (17) and Jade (14) are very good role models for the girls. It has to be born in mind that when you foster the whole of your family is fostering! We have been fortunate that our daughters have been happy with us doing so.
“It’s given John and myself a new focus and we are absolutely delighted with our extended family.” John added: “It helps that Jessica and Jade are very mature and have been very supportive. Since fostering the girls their personalities have blossomed and everyone remarks on how well they are doing. They are now very much part of our family.”
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Pathway Care is looking for ex-service personnel to approach them. The areas the Agency serves are: East England (offices in Oundle, Peterborough and Histon in Cambridgeshire), Midlands (Bromsgrove), South East Wales (Cardiff), West Wales (Carmarthenshire), South West (offices in Bristol and Newton Abbott, Devon). If you think fostering could be for you, please contact the Pathway Care team on 0871 2263760, or visit their website to find out more: www.pathwaycare.com
