Nicola's story...
I have been a foster carer for 5 years, and in the beginning I was approved to look after children up to 11 years old.
My first placement was a little boy aged 2 ½, and a month later his new born sister joined us. Both children were adopted a year later.
After that I got a call from family placement asking if I would consider taking a 14 year old Nigerian boy. They said he had stayed in a home for one night and was well mannered and a good pupil in school. I did explain to them that 14 wasn’t my age bracket, and my daughter was the same age as him so I felt worried. However, I thought about it and decided I would give it a go. I am so glad that I did. He is now 17 years old and very well-mannered and he goes to college and he studies business.
All children go through teenage years in their lives and deserve a chance no matter their age group.
In October, I will be looking forward to having a new placement whether it is a young child or a teenager.