A foster parent from a Kent fostering agency is urging others to swap their profession to become a foster parent.
Michelle Lingham, 51, has had careers in the military and as a dental nurse in community services where she supported children and adults with special needs.
She began fostering in 2022 and is now a long-term foster parent with ISP Fostering.
Children have been a big part of Michelle’s personal and professional life. Having supported children in her role as a nurse, she also has two adopted children who are now adults and one birth child.
While working as a nurse, Michelle met a couple who had adopted their child and she was moved by the difference the couple had made to the child’s life.
This inspired Michelle to leave her career as a special needs nurse, and take up fostering, she said: “While it may not be an easy career option, it is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
“Part of my professional background has been working with children with special needs and this has given me lots of transferable skills, so that I can really make a difference.
“A big part of becoming a foster parent is looking at the skills you currently have and how you can use them to help children who need your support.”
Her former roles have enabled her to become a foster parent for children from all backgrounds, including those with additional needs who might need more tailored support.
Michelle believes that lots of people will have the skills needed to become a foster parent, they just don’t realise it.
She said: “This is my first time as a foster parent, but the skills I developed in my other roles have really helped me on my way, and there are lots of traits that people naturally have which will help them to foster.
“You have to be resilient, patient and empathic. As well as being emotionally involved, you also need to be objective and organised.
“I think all those skills I used at work are definitely skills that I still use every day.”
Naomi Wilkinson is the registered manager at ISP, and wants to show people that fostering is a career.
She said: “While fostering is a job unlike many others, it is still a professional role where people are paid, receive extensive training and progress their careers. Many of our foster parents even undertake professional qualifications.
“Foster parents are recognised as part of our professional team, and receive a generous allowance which reflects their knowledge, skills and experience.
“As with any job there are levels of seniority, and we encourage our foster parents to develop professionally so that they can help more children’s specific needs, and that can also be reflected in the allowance they receive.”
For those worried there won’t be enough professional support available in a role as a foster parent, Michelle said: “ISP offers a fantastic support network for you as a foster carer. You have your supervising social worker, fostering advisor, advisory teachers plus lots of therapists and other childcare specialists.
“I have never ever felt as if I am in a situation where I can’t ask for help. I can’t praise them highly enough.”
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent with ISP, or would just like more information please call 0800 0857 989 or visit https:///ispfostering.org.uk/locations/kent/
