Testimonials
How did you find the assessment / transfer process?
We have been fostering for almost nine years and transitioned to Ivy House last year. While deciding to transfer agencies can be substantial and daunting, the process was uncomplicated and painless. Ivy House staff worked closely with our former agency to guarantee comprehensive support for us as foster carers, our family, and the children in our care during this change. Despite the detailed and thorough nature of the transfer process, Mick's expertise, professionalism, and friendly demeaner made this enjoyable and we looked forward to our weekly meetings. He not only recognised our extensive skills and experience but also encouraged us to reflect on our practices.
How are you supported or how do you find the support from Ivy House?
The staff at Ivy House are highly supportive and respond promptly to our concerns. Each staff member is well-acquainted with every child’s journey, which is essential for us. This ensures that even during out-of-hours calls, informed advice is provided irrespective of who is on duty. Even when errors occur, we never feel judged and always feel valued. We are expertly guided to explore alternative approaches and reflect on our practices. Ivy House fosters a family-like atmosphere with a culture of respect, openness, and tolerance. We are supported in meeting children's individual cultural and religious needs. Every staff member is dedicated to providing us with all the necessary support to ensure our success, for the sake of the children.
Have you found your foster carer training helpful?
Training with Ivy House enhances our knowledge and caregiving skills, thereby increasing our effectiveness in supporting the children in our care. It strengthens our existing competencies and facilitates the acquisition of new ones. The benefits of this training include the attainment of new skills or qualifications, the updating of our knowledge base, staying informed about recent developments, and enhancing our own self-esteem, motivation, and confidence. We firmly believe that through this training, we can significantly improve the lives of the children and young people we support by providing them with a loving, stable, and nurturing environment during their time away from their birth families.
What is the best thing about being a foster carer?
We find fostering to be an immensely rewarding experience. Although there are several moments of challenge, we understand that effective parenting requires perseverance. We love the dynamic and fun environment created by the presence of children and young people. Our interactions with children have always been positive, enjoying both their playfulness and their sincerity. Every hug, expression of affection, small achievement, overcoming of fear, and success reinforces the value of fostering for us.
While helping a child may not change the world, it will undoubtedly change the child's world.
Denise and Nigel, Foster Carers.
I have fostered for many years and transferred to Ivy House in 2023. I found the transfer and assessment process straightforward and stress free. Every part of the process was explained to me, and I was supported throughout the whole process. Any worries or questions I had were answered and I always felt reassured.
Since joining Ivy House, I have received amazing support from the team, no matter what time of day there is always some at the end of the phone. I know I can ring and chat to any member of the team about how i am feeling or if I need extra support.
I attended the support groups regularly, because I am a single carer, attending the support groups have been a good way of meeting other foster carers. The groups are very friendly, and I feel like part of the family.
I enjoying learning putting knew skills and learning into practice. The face-to-face training delivered by Ivy House and on-line training has helped me develop my skills
There are so many things about fostering that I find rewarding. The most rewarding thing for me is making a lasting and positive difference to children’s lives by providing a safe, nurturing and loving home. It makes me so happy seeing the children grow and shine.
Spending quality time together making special memories is priceless.
Over the years, I have made new and lasting friendships with other foster carers which is invaluable.
Laura, Foster Carer.
We have been foster carers since 2015 and transferred to Ivy House in 2023. Although the assessment process needs to be lengthy because the assessment needs to be thorough, our experience of the process was straightforward and easy because Ivy House made us feel at ease and comfortable when talking about the most sensitive subjects. Our assessing worker was very kind, thoughtful and caring.
The support we receive from Ivy House is amazing. When either of us call the team for a chat, needing support or to query anything, there is always someone on the end of the phone to help with pretty much anything.
We attend foster carer training regularly; we have found training really helpful and informative. I find when we are attending training, we learn a lot from each other when having discussions. We also receive handouts to take away with us so there is always something to look back on if you can't remember.
There are so many things we love about being foster carers. The children are amazing, and we foster to provide a loving and safe home to children and young people. We have had challenges along the way but seeing the children grow in all different ways is priceless. Watching these children grow day by day and week by week is brilliant. If our children take just one thing we have taught them, we know we made a positive change in their lives. Some of the children and young people still visit us which is wonderful. We have endless extended family since starting our fostering journey and we wouldn't change it for the world.
Michelle and Gary, Foster Carers.
We have been foster carers since 2013 and transferred to Ivy House in 2023. We found the transfer process to be very smooth and quick. The Independent Social Worker during the assessment was very helpful, very friendly and very professional.
We find the support from Ivy House exceptional. If we are needing support, we only have to pick up the phone and no matter who in the team answers, we receive help whatever the time of day or night it is, every member of the team knows us and our children which makes a huge difference.
We find attending foster care training very helpful and although we have previously completed some of the training sessions, we find there is always something new to learn. We have therapeutic bespoke training delivered by the agency Therapy Intervention Worker which has been invaluable.
After raising our own children, being foster carers has been the best thing we have done. Even if we can make just one change to a child’s life, we feel we have fulfilled our purpose in being Foster Carers. Even though fostering has its challenges, the children that we have fostered over the years have brought so much joy and are all part of our extended family. It is so lovely to be part of their lives, even after they have moved on to independence.
Debra and Paul, Foster Carers.
