Michelle's story
Follow Michelle's journey to becoming a foster carer with Camden, in her own words. Find out why she decided to become a foster carer, how she found the process and advice she has if you're considering becoming a foster carer too.
About me
I'm a 51-year-old single mother of 3 wonderful children - 2 sons aged 21 and 22, and a daughter who is 18. We're a very close-knit family and enjoy spending quality time together, especially around the dinner table where we catch up, share stories, and have a good laugh.
As a family, we support and look out for one another, and our home is filled with warmth, laughter, and mutual respect.
Why I wanted to become a foster carer
I was assessed many years ago but wasn’t approved at the time. Looking back now, I truly believe that was the right decision.
Since then, my circumstances have changed significantly - my children are now much older, and I’ve gained a wealth of experience working in education and children’s residential homes.
I now feel ready and better equipped, both personally and professionally, to transfer the skills and knowledge I’ve developed into becoming a foster carer and providing a stable, nurturing environment for a child in need.
Speaking to the Camden foster care service
I spoke to a friend, who's a respite carer for Camden, about my desire and enthusiasm to be a foster carer. She recommended Camden, explaining that they offer a fantastic professional support network along with many great benefits for their foster carers.
I decided to make the call and spoke to a lovely gentleman named Marco, who was very informative and friendly. He asked me a few basic questions, and I shared some details about my background.
Marco then booked my first home visit with a social worker. I was quite nervous knowing that this visit would determine whether I would move on to the next stage, but Marco was very reassuring and positive, which really helped put me at ease.
The home visit
The home visit happened soon after my initial phone call, and it went really well.
The social worker who came was a lovely lady - she had a look around my home, including the bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom. But contrary to what some people say, she didn’t look inside any cupboards or my fridge!
We then sat down and talked more about my background and whether my family was supportive of the potential changes in the household.
After that visit, the social worker progressed me to the next stage - the Skills to Foster 3-day course. That’s when it really started to feel real and exciting.
Talking about myself
Having been assessed before, I knew how intense and sometimes intrusive the questions could feel. However, I was fully prepared to be open and honest throughout the process.
My assessing social worker Jonny made a huge difference by being non-judgmental and having a great sense of humour. I felt relaxed and comfortable, which made it much easier to discuss difficult and sensitive topics openly.
Learning about myself
Through the process, I’ve learned that I can be a bit of a perfectionist - I always want everything I do to be done perfectly, and I can be quite hard on myself when it’s not.
I’m working on accepting that it’s okay to be imperfect, and that learning and growth often come from those moments.
I’ve also realised that not being open with children doesn’t protect them; honesty and transparency from the start build trust and are far more effective in the long run.
Support along the way
My children and friends, who make up my strong support network, have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. They’ve graciously allowed their own lives to be assessed as part of the process, showing true understanding and commitment.
I’m also very grateful to my social worker, who has been an absolute superstar - always respectful, compassionate and understanding when I needed to take some time out, while ensuring the assessment process was handled with dignity and professionalism.
Getting ready to welcome a child
I’m feeling very excited and hopeful as I prepare to welcome a child into my home. I’m looking forward to growing in my role as a professional parent and providing a safe, nurturing environment.
Most of all, I’m excited to support the child’s progress, knowing I played a part in their journey.
My advice if you're thinking about fostering
Before anyone considers applying to become a foster carer, it’s important to make sure you have a strong support network and that everyone in your household is 100% behind your decision.
There will be challenges along the way, but don’t let that discourage you. Take the process seriously - it can be a long and sometimes intrusive assessment, so it’s important to be fully committed from the start. That way, you won’t waste time that could otherwise be spent helping another potential carer move forward in their journey.
A final thought
Looking back on my fostering journey so far, I feel incredibly proud and grateful.
The process has been one of reflection, growth, and learning - not just about fostering, but about myself and my family too.
Being approved as a foster carer is a dream realised and a new chapter filled with purpose. I’m ready to make a difference in a child’s life, to offer stability, care, and understanding, and to continue learning along the way.
This journey has reminded me that with patience, honesty, and support, you can truly achieve something meaningful and life-changing.