Insider’s Guide to Foster Care

Dr Sue Knowles is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Changing Minds Child and Family Services (www.CMCAFS.com), a Researcher and Author of psychologically informed self-help books for young people.Dr Laura Lever is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and leads a service for children in care within the NHS. She has been passionately involved in coproduction work with young people, lifting voices that would otherwise be underrepresented.Caydin Jay is a care leaver, entering at 15, experiencing both foster and residential care, and now currently working as an IT field service engineer with intentions of further education.Kim Emenike was in foster care for 10 years. She is the founder of The Helen Okani Bakery, an advocate for the care experienced community and works as a Project Manager.Amy Baker was in foster care from the age of 14. She is now a qualified social worker who advocates for children and young people daily whilst balancing a beautiful family of her own.

In 1999 I entered into the world of children in care through my work in a multi-agency project to provide support to the children, their foster carers and the networks surrounding them. I quickly learnt how little I knew of this world. I learned much from the children and foster carers I was supporting. They supported me in this new role more than I was supporting them. How I wish I had access to this book back then. The contributors to this book have shared so much, opening a door into their world, and giving a voice to children growing up in foster care. The book is addressed to foster carers, but will be a trusted guide for many others, social workers, teachers, supporters and the children themselves. This book is a must read for all those involved with the foster care system and for others who would like to understand more of what the children experience and what they need. The last word in the book goes to another Kim who says: 'Join us in helping to 'fix' this broken system by showing love and care to young people in foster care.' In reading this book you will have a guide as to how to show this love and care.