The high quality support offered to an experienced foster couple caring for a severely disabled Torfaen baby was reason enough for them to transfer from their private fostering agency to Torfaen Council.
Sherard and April Woods decided to become Torfaen foster carers after building up an excellent relationship with their social worker; they had been registered with a private fostering agency for four years.
"We realised we were working with a social worker who was incredibly supportive," explained Sherard. "Mark* was severely disabled and needed very intensive care, including tube feeding and a lot of medication."
"Throughout the year Mark was with us, our social worker was absolutely fantastic, a lovely person," April agreed. "It was very hands-on and there had to be two of us involved in his care. The support we received from Torfaen was great."
With four children of their own, and April’s younger sister living with them, the family-orientated couple were always natural foster parents.
"It’s funny – people said to us for years that we should think about fostering but for many years our focus was on our own children," said Sherard.
It was only when April’s sister and the two older children left home and that they found themselves giving the idea some serious consideration and finally approached a private fostering agency which had been suggested by a neighbour.
"You set off with such an excitement," recalled Sherard. "You want to provide care and make a difference to a child. We were willing to foster children from birth to 18, including children with disabilities, but, because a lot of children placed through private fostering agencies need placements where there are no natural children, there were long periods when we had no foster children staying with us and we felt redundant."
That all changed when they accepted one-year old Mark*, a child with such severe physical disabilities that April undertook six weeks’ hospital training to learn how to look after his needs.
"There had to be two of us to care for him," she explained. "Sherard had just taken redundancy so it made it possible. It was pretty full on though, especially on the occasions when Mark was admitted to hospital and one of us stayed at his bedside.’
Sadly, Mark died, but his short life and the time the Woods spent caring for him has had a profound effect on the whole family, including the younger children, Jordan, 15, and Jess, 11.
"The children were amazing," said April. "They are fantastic kids and have such a maturity for their age. While they loved and missed Mark, they were very clear that they wanted to us to take other foster children immediately and told our social worker so."
Jordan’s involvement with caring for Mark also sparked an interest in childcare; he is currently the only boy studying the subject at Caerleon Comprehensive School, something his parents are very proud about.
The Woods currently foster a newborn baby and a six-year old girl with physical disabilities. They hope the girl, who has flourished in their loving care, will remain with them long-term, however they are committed to maintaining links with the child’s natural mother, with whom they have a good relationship, and her siblings.
"It’s so important that foster children spend time with their natural parents and siblings," said April. "Those are her roots, they’ll always be her family and she needs regular contact with them."
Rather than being a deterrent to fostering, April and Sherard believe that their busy family life is key in providing a really healthy environment in which foster children thrive.
"I think it’s important that people have a better understanding of fostering," said April. "My life is being a mum and if that’s your passion and it’s what’s in your heart, you’ll make a fantastic foster mum.
"Of course, quality of care is important, but people from all backgrounds make great foster carers. We live in a rural location with lots of open space which might not suit a child who is used to living in a city or town environment.
"The most important thing is that family life is your passion; if it is, you’ll make fantastic foster carers regardless of the size of your home or your material possessions."
"The most important thing is that you commit yourself to looking after a child," said Sherard.
Torfaen is always looking for foster carers to look after children of all ages, for long-term or short-term placements or to offer regular respite care.
There are no formal educational requirements, you can be married, single, or in a single sex relationship, with or without your own children, and own or rent your home. All you need is a real desire to give a child a secure and loving home and the ‘passion’ described by April Woods.
All applicants are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and medical examination. Full training is provided.
For more information, contact Jeff Davies on 01633 648426.
*Name has been changed to protect confidentiality.