Foster Dad urges others to consider fostering this Father’s Day
As the nation prepares to celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, one of our inspirational foster carers from the North East is sharing his story of how he became a foster dad, in the hope it might encourage others to also consider fostering.
Former taxi driver Rasub has been fostering since 2015 alongside his wife Shameen.
Parents to three grown-up children of their own and grandparents to two, Rasub and Shameen have always had a busy household. It was after their children had grown up that the couple first thought about fostering. Rasub and Shameen were both shocked when they discovered how many children in the UK needed a safe home and decided to research local fostering providers in the hope they could help.
The couple’s first foster placement was a then five-year-old boy, who has medical and additional learning needs and will stay with the Afzals until he’s at least 18.
Now 10-years-old, the boy requires round the clock supervision and care. Rasub said: “When we first met this little boy, we knew he was going to be a challenge. I asked myself, if I didn’t help him, then who would? I was aware that children with disabilities and special educational needs were often the children that other foster carers might be more nervous to take on, so I knew this little boy needed me.”
Although he had plenty of experience bringing up his own children, Rasub had not had any previous experience of looking after a child with special educational needs, so since joining Five Rivers Child Care, Rasub has received specific training and support for understanding how best to help the 10-year-old.
Father’s Day offers a time of reflection, and for Rasub, he knows he’s not only changed this boy’s life for the better, but also his own. He said: “He’s my son, and always will be. I believe it was destiny for this boy to come to us, as much as I’ve done for him, he’s done more for me. Because we’re together round the clock, everyone who knows me, knows that wherever I go, he will be with me.”
For more information on foster care contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 266 0272 or visit www.five-rivers.org.