Frances and her husband David have been fostering for 15 years and switched to ISP in 2024 because they wanted to foster with an agency that ‘offered a way of fostering that felt right.’
The couple have cared for children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, using their experience of raising their own four children and Frances’s background in teaching to make a positive difference in their lives.
Now, they care for a 2-year-old girl and have no intention of stopping any time soon.
Join us as we explore Frances’s fostering story, from how it all began to the special moments that make the ups and downs all worthwhile.
Why Frances chose fostering
Frances and David started fostering in their 50s, and although they’ve cared for a wide range of ages, they currently specialise in providing a home for young children.
Frances said, “I used to be a teacher, but decided I needed a change. I looked around and thought about what else I could do, and fostering had always been in the back of my mind.”
“I knew I enjoyed looking after small children, having done it with my own four, which also meant I was prepared for whatever curveballs life could throw at us. I spoke to my husband about it, and we just decided to give it a go.”
Transferring to ISP
For the first 13 years of Frances and David’s journey, they fostered with their local authority and another independent fostering agency. However, they believed the support and training they were receiving fell short of what was needed to provide the best possible care to children and young people.
Frances said, “I really liked the fostering agency we were with before we transferred to ISP, but things changed, and everything started to go downhill. We didn’t want to stop fostering, so we looked around for a different agency.”
“That’s when we came across ISP, and we realised they offered a way of fostering that felt right. They emphasised the importance of therapeutic foster care and put the right support and training in place to help foster parents care for children in this way.”
“So we decided to transfer, and the process was seamless. We deferred it because it was better for the child we had at the time, but it was still done within 3 or 4 months.”
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If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent with ISP, then download our helpful guide to discover everything you need to know about fostering.
ISP’s foster parent support
One of the big reasons why Frances and David switched to ISP was because they wanted to foster with an agency that offers a higher level of support – and they haven’t been disappointed.
Frances said, “ISP’s therapeutic model centres on communication and making sure everybody is in touch and always has someone to talk to.”
“We have monthly supervision, which is always very helpful, and a foster parent-led forum where we can set the agenda and choose what we talk about. Through these, we’ve created WhatsApp groups, and friendships have naturally developed.”
“They also host social events to bring families together, which are really helpful because you get to know people in similar situations and find out how they’re managing so you can apply it to your own life.”
“No matter what I need, ISP supports me. But one of the biggest things has been the training we receive to care for children therapeutically, which we apply every single day.”
Welcoming their first child
Over the past 15 years, Frances and David have cared for many children, but will never forget the day they welcomed their first foster child, who, like all the children they’ve cared for, they are still in touch with today.
Frances said, “Our first foster child was a newborn baby, and my first memory of him was getting him to sleep that night and sitting down and thinking, oh my goodness, I have the responsibility of somebody else’s infant in my house.”
“That was quite sobering. But the wobble about it didn’t last very long at all. And very quickly the routine set in and we got to know each other very well. He’s 15 now, and we still see him regularly.”
“He’s a lovely young man and feels like an extra grandchild to us. We are lucky and privileged enough to be in touch with all the children who passed through our care. They’re just getting on with their lives, and we’re just a bit of it, along with all the rest of their family.”
Unforgettable moments
We asked Frances to share one of the most unforgettable moments on her fostering journey.
She said, “We fostered a young man for just three weeks and ten years later he finally got his British citizenship.”
“He was a refugee who came here in the back of a lorry. And we’ve watched him age out of care, go through some awful times, get a job, and become a partner in the firm he works for.”
“He invited us to his British citizenship ceremony, and we are very proud that we made a difference in this young man’s life in one way or another.”
Download our transfer guide
We can fast-track your assessment in 12 weeks, so you can enjoy the benefits of our supportive community much sooner than you might think. Download our transfer fostering agency guide to learn more about the process and benefits of working with ISP.
Frances’s fostering advice
“If you feel you’ve got the energy, patience, self-awareness and resilience to foster, then it doesn’t matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in; you have the skills needed to foster.”
“Just give it a go, and you might still be here, like us, 15 years later.”
Start your fostering journey
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of children and young people by providing therapeutic foster care?
Call us today on 0800 0857 989 or submit your details via our online form to learn more about fostering, including the support, training, and fostering allowances we offer here at ISP.
Together, we can provide more vulnerable children and young people with the foundation of safety and love they need to reach their full potential.
Speak to our team today
Whether you’re looking for more information about fostering a child or you’re ready to apply, we’re here to help you take the next step to fostering and start your journey.
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Learn more about transferring today
Transferring to ISP is easier than you think. Speak to one of our fostering advisors today.
Just some reasons to transfer to ISP…
- UK’s most established fostering agency
- Leaders in therapeutic foster care
- We’ll match your allowance at the very least, but often we can beat it
- Wrap-around support from a local team of social workers, therapists, education specialists, and more
- An unrivalled therapeutic training programme
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The company takes the requirements of GDPR seriously in ensuring the privacy and lawful processing of personal data provided to us by you. Please view our privacy notice which explains how the company will manage and use your personal data. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
