Full profiles are available to local authorities who submit a request by emailing admin@kingfisherfostering.com
R & D (White British) - Have been fostering for 10 years, and have looked after children with a range of difficulties including challenging behaviour and attachment difficulties. R has the NVQ 3 in child care, as well as raising her own 3 children and fostering she has also been a child minder. D is currently working in a residential unit for young people between the ages of 12 - 16, with challenging behaviours; he is also working towards his NVQ 3. R and D currently have a 9 year old female in permanent placement.
B & R (Black African) - Have been fostering for just over 2 years and currently have a 10 year old boy in permanent placement. They also have a daughter of their own who is currently doing her G.C.S.E's. B and R have proved to be wonderful carers who have shown great resilience and resourcefulness, and they have also been excellent advocates for their current foster child. They are a very close knit family who enjoy lots of activities.
H & D (White British) - H has had previous experience of fostering 3 young people, who presented with challenging behaviour and emotional difficulties, and working with them during the transition to independence. She has also been a support worker for children/young people with physical and learning disabilities and is trained in Makaton. H and D are very active and enjoy days out together, they are both excellent communicators and have a robust support network. H has also raised her own 3 children, all of whom now live independently. The family are very close and enjoy spending time together.
S & I (White British) - have previous experience as kinship carers for their granddaughter following a traumatic experience. During this time they gained the knowledge, skills and awareness of caring for a child who presented with attachment and behavioural difficulties. They have also a proven ability to work with professionals and advocate on behalf of someone else's child. S is an experienced critical care nursing assistant. S and I have an extensive support network and are committed to their desire to become foster carers. They have demonstrated this by attending and actively participating in the Kingfisher training programme.
M - Is of dual heritage, British/Spanish, and can speak fluent Spanish and French. M is a single parent to her son who is 7. M is very assertive, passionate and has very clear boundaries. She is very active and likes to live life to the full, trying out new experiences and discovering what she likes and is good at. M has a good support network of friends around her. She has previous experience of working with children/young people with disabilities and is trained in Makaton. She is also a qualified nurse.
J & A (White British) - have four children of their own, with the youngest being 13 years old. They are very family orientated and take an active interest in their children and their achievements. They have struck a great balance in their lives providing a fun, lively and caring environment for their children. This family exude warmth and compassion and could provide a loving and secure environment for any 'looked after child'. Both J and A have experience of working with children within the community, through playgroups, rainbows and football coaching.
A & G (White British) - have experience of parenting 6 children between them, all of who are now independent except for A's youngest son (14) who lives with them. A has also had experience of caring for her niece and nephew who are of mixed heritage, during a traumatic period in their lives. This experience gave A an insight into what it might be like to foster a child, she was able to establish relationships with the children and meet their specific individual needs. A and G have a good support network and a solid supportive relationship with each other.
C & R (White British) - both have extensive youth work experience, they have operated a church youth group and tackled many difficult issues with the young people they have worked with. C has previous experience as a child minder. These days she runs a children's club in the summer and assists in the operation of a lunch time club at one of the local schools. C and R are very active with their own two children (7 & 10) and enjoy developing and promoting their interests and education.
