Fostering Siblings with Sammy & Stuart
After growing up in a foster family, it was only natural for Sammy to follow in her parents' footsteps. Now, she provides a safe, loving home for siblings in need.
Get to know Stuart and Sammy
You might say that fostering is in Sammy’s DNA.
She grew up as one of nine siblings to parents who foster. Now a decade into their own fostering journey, Sammy and her husband Stuart have cared for several children over the years, offering respite care, long-term care, and care for siblings.
They currently foster three children alongside their own two kids.
Fostering siblings
Since 2014, Sammy and Stuart have fostered several sibling groups and think there’s something special about helping children in care nurture relationships with their brothers and sisters.
Sammy said: “Children can come with quite strained relationships or in our experience one has normally played a parental role for the other, so to allow them both to experience being children is really special.”
Sibling bonds can be complicated; Sammy and Stuart help alleviate pressure in these situations, allowing children to act and feel like children when they might not have had that opportunity before.
Fostering siblings together can be really beneficial for the young people, helping them to feel at home and providing a safe space for each other when living in a new environment.
Stuart said: “Fostering siblings together provides them with familiarity and reassurance and shows them they’re not alone. They have a familiar person who’s been with them their whole lives… It really helps with settling in.”
How children in care have made a difference to Sammy and Stuart’s life
For Sammy and Stuart, fostering is an absolute passion. They love seeing the difference they make to children everyday and have built beautiful relationships.
Children in care may have been through really challenging circumstances, it’s the role of foster parents to help them overcome this and find their feet in a loving and stable home.
Sammy said: “There will be stuff that has impacted them in a way, and they impact us too. We learn so much about ourselves from them and the pleasure it brings us knowing we are giving them safety, security, and a nurturing home is lovely everyday.”
Download information pack
If you're interested in fostering, then download our information pack to discover everything you need to know about becoming a foster parent with ISP.
Fostering with ISP
Foster parent training, development, and support are a huge part of fostering with ISP. There’s a whole host of professionals available to support foster parents and children alike, from fostering advisors to specialist therapists.
Our therapeutic approach is designed to help children heal from the difficult early experiences that led them to be in care.
“Being part of ISP has always been very warm and welcoming, it’s a really lovely group. We get a lot of help. They’re always there and we can reach out to anybody at the centre which is nice.”
