Case Study: Peter Simmons
Peter Simmons, aged 55, used to work as a production services manager for an Automotive Electronics company until he was made redundant earlier this year.
Following news of his redundancy Peter decided to become full-time foster carer with Pathway Care Group, one of the UK's leading independent fostering agencies. Peter had decided that he wanted a more rewarding role helping vulnerable children and young people.
Married to Regina, an environmental engineer with Corus, the couple have a 2 and a half year old son. Peter explained that as parents with full time jobs they had to leave their son in a crèche, which involved a daily car journey for their young son of 40 miles.
Peter said: "As a foster carer I am not only able to help vulnerable youngsters but because I can work from home I am able to spend more time with my son and support my wife too."
Peter successfully became a registered foster carer with Pathway Care in July and is now looking after a sibling group aged 5 and 14.
Peter added "Apart from their foster carers many fostered children have no one else they can call on for support." "They need stability and a routine but ultimately they need to know that someone cares for them, If anyone out there is thinking of changing their career direction, whether as a result of redundancy or not, I would definitely recommend fostering." "It is challenging and may not be suited for everyone but I get great satisfaction out of the work I'm doing now and don't regret my decision to change career at all."
