The couple from East Ayrshire care long-term for a sibling group aged 14 and 10 years of age, with the siblings being in their care for over 8 years.
They share their fostering journey and the fantastic support they’ve received with Foster Care Associates Scotland.
Both had been working as mental health nurses where they gained the transferable skills of empathy, communication and an understanding of childhood trauma and development. This paired with the couple’s desire to make a difference early on in a child’s life, led the couple to think about fostering a child in need.
Although initially it was Karen’s idea to foster, Andrew soon agreed it would be a positive step for them both.
Karen explains: “We could see the children in care coming through our services and we both wanted to be able to do something early on in that child’s life to help their mental health and the trauma they had experienced.”
She continued: “It was the communication skills we’ve developed in our careers and our understanding of young people’s needs that naturally drew us to fostering and making a difference.”
Andrew adds: “For me personally, I knew I could foster because I had a stepson that I could love and care for a child that wasn’t biologically mine – I could do that for someone else’s child too.”
The couple have broken the mould when it comes to adopting traditional gender roles, with Andrew taking the lead as the primary foster carer whilst Karen still pursues her career in mental health full time.
Karen explains: “Andrew is the homemaker looking after all our children full-time, while I choose to be the one to pursue my career within mental health.”
“It’s positive for any child to see that role reversal and to have a gentler male care giver as a role model and a woman who’s out working and going after a successful career.”
When speaking about the support of FCA Scotland Karen said:
“I found the support with FCA Scotland absolutely amazing, not just for us as a couple, but for the children in our care. The psychological input from therapists has been brilliant.”
“Our own biologically children also feel very involved – they have naturally built a bond with our foster children. They feel protective over their younger foster siblings, and as a parent that’s been amazing to watch.”
When asked what advice the couple would give to those thinking of fostering, Andrew answers:
“Go into fostering with an open mind. Don’t expect it to work out perfectly straight away – it may end up being perfect but allow it some time.”
“I won the fostering lottery when we got our two foster children – I couldn’t have asked for better!”
If you’ve been thinking about fostering, then speak to one of our friendly advisors today and discover what it’s like to foster with FCA Scotland.
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