Jenny’s story

Jenny was approved as a foster carer for Camden Council in March 2025 and is excited about welcoming her first placement as part of her family.

Jenny, whose partner works for Camden, said: “We have our own child who has just turned 12 and we decided before Covid struck that fostering was something we wanted to do. When the pandemic was over, and we moved to a new place in Kent with a spare bedroom, we felt ready to do it.

“We’re going to be long-term foster carers and have said we would like a child aged 4 to 10. They would be with us for at least three months and potentially up to when they turn 18. We want them to become part of our family. We’ve been open with our own boy that this is our plan and explained to him that some children are not necessarily going to be as sociable and confident as he is. As well as having to settle into a new home, they might have added trauma.

“I’m self-employed, with my own cleaning company. I’m going to be the primary foster carer. The idea is that I will be able to see my clients while my son and the foster child are at school. I want to be 100% flexible for them.

“I had my son quite late and we always wanted more children. I suggested fostering and my partner was open to it. I have a couple of friends who have been in care and it made me think that some children are having a rough start and there aren’t enough people to help them have an easier life. I want to help children and grow our family at the same time.

“We chose Camden Council to foster with because my partner has worked there for 20 years and trusts them – he was very clear that we had to go with Camden.

“We’re very excited but we’re also very aware of the challenges and changes that are about to happen. We’ve had fantastic support so far from our supervising social worker at Camden. If there are any questions, he is only a phone call away.

“I would encourage other people to think about fostering but I believe that you have to be a certain type of person. Knowing what I know so far, you need to be 100% empathetic and patient. You have to love that child as your own while also remembering they are not yours. Even though they could staying with us long term they are potentially still going to have their own family connections. But it will be so rewarding to know that you have done the very best for children who can flourish and have a fairly normal life.”