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[music] >>NARRATOR: Happy families. The Blue Sky view
of fostering. The idea of family is the most important part of fostering. Which is why
at Blue Sky, we operate very much like a family. [music]
We're really keen to foster a strong family feel and the reason that's really important
is because you know this is a tough job and it's hard fostering young people and therefore
its important for everyone involved with Blue Sky to know that we're working together, we're
supporting each other and we have a very kind of strong ethos of support to make sure that
we do the very best for these young people. Fundamentally what's most important is the
child actually values what we do and feels that they're with the right agency with the
right family and we like to think really that children would choose Blue Sky if they could.
Fostering for the first time can seem daunting. Its something Liam and Karen wondered about.
>>KAREN: What we first noticed about Blue Sky is that they were very professional, even
from the phonecall, the conversation was professional and they explained how to explore further.
They told us to take time to think about the process and to read through the pack and if
we were still interested to contact them again and move on from there.
>>LIAM: to see him grow into this young adult it just warms you inside.
>>KAREN: We're making a difference. >>LIAM: Yeah
>>KAREN: Not just to his life but to our lives. I know no matter what problem we face Blue
Sky will be there for us. >>NARRATOR: For Carol her interest in Fostering
became a way of life. >>CAROL: Its made me feel like I've done something
worthwhile. I've had jobs in the past, and I've always enjoyed my jobs. You don't get
the feelings that you get with this job. At the moment I have a Mum and baby living with
me. When she came to me the baby was 3 weeks old, he's now nearly 18 months so he's been
with us for quite a few months but its looking like its worked and its positive so thats
a good thing, I'm pleased that I've been able to help Mum and her family through a difficult
time. Also knowing that we are part of the family with Blue Sky, we look after each other,
they make not just me feel part of the family but my family too, that includes my children
and my parents up to a point because they have been a big support for me too. So we're
all included in the Blue Sky family. >>NARRATOR: Mary has already fostered several
times and is now caring for teenager Beth. >>MARY: We know that at any time we can phone
them up and they'll be immediately there if we need them and that gives you confidence
to actually do the job well. Blue Sky's there 24/7 so if you have a problem at weekends
you can pick the phone up and speak to the duty social. There are very challenging times
and thats when you need Blue Sky. They're there when you need them. If you ever need
them they're there. >>NARRATOR: Just like any family here at Blue
Sky we understand the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships.
>>Blue Sky's very good at making sure that we stay very much connected with the young
people that we're dealing with. And also with the families as well. At the end of the day
what we're dealing with is human emotions and human relationships and making sure that
everybody gets a really friendly, warm service. Which will essentially make sure that we're
going to be able to provide the best for children's lives and the care for the people who look
after them. >>There are a lot of people out there who
think that they can't be foster carers because they haven't got all the right childcare skills,
or they're single, or whatever that might be. But actually anybody can become a foster
carer. For me its about having the right skills and qualities. Kindness, empathy, a good sense
of humour, resilience, patience, etc. And a willingness to take on children for who
they are really, warts and all and invite them into their family and treat them as one
of their family. >>The panel is a group of professionals who
receive people who want to become foster carers and then ask them questions. And then after
that decide whether we are happy for them to become foster carers.
>>NARRATOR: Families come in all shapes and sizes but in the end it's young people who
are at the centre of everything we do. >>What we tell our foster carers, is that
its small steps, thats the important thing. Very often they will come and say "But I can't
do this. This is really tough." And we say "It's OK. Of course its tough. But we're going
to be there every step of the way with you. You can rely on us. We're going to make sure
that you've got everything you could possibly need to do this job."
If you think this looks like you, call. And ask to speak to one of us.
[music]