Lesley, Dominique and Roxanna, parent and child fostering
Thursday 01 August 2024
“I love the satisfaction that comes with looking after mums and their babies, my job is to help them become more independent in looking after their children and to give them a shot at being a real family unit.”
Three inspiring women from the same family decided to become ‘parent and child’ Foster Carers. Lesley, the family matriarch, is encouraging others to consider the same rewarding career.
Lesley fosters for Five Rivers Child Care alongside her two daughters, Dominique and Roxanna. They specialise in parent and child placements – looking after mothers and their young children and helping them to remain together as a family unit.
Lesley, who has three grown-up children and still works part-time as a driving instructor, was encouraged into fostering by her eldest daughter, Dominique, after the unexpected loss of her husband, John, in 2013.
Lesley said: “Fostering was something John and I were considering before he passed away, so I wanted to continue his legacy and give it a try. We’d seen the difference Dominique makes in the lives of the children and young people she fosters, and having raised three children, I felt I had the experience to help me give something back, too.”
Not long after Lesley began fostering with Five Rivers Child Care, she undertook the specific training to take on parent and child placements, something there is a real shortage of across the UK.
Lesley continues: “I love the satisfaction of looking after mums and their babies. My job is to help them become more independent in looking after their children and give them a shot at being a real family unit. The mums who come to stay with me are from all different backgrounds; some have escaped abusive relationships, others have mental health issues, and I’ve had quite a few youngsters under 18 with their little ones. Some stay for the minimum three-month placement, but I’ve had others with me for up to ten months.
“The youngest baby I’ve looked after was just seven days old. The care I provide can be anything from taking on most of the responsibility for the child to having very young babies sleep in my bedroom with me. I watch over both mother and child and am ready to step in if my help is needed. It is lovely to see them grow into their roles as mothers during their time with me. I’m happy to say most of the placements I’ve had so far remain together and move on to more independent accommodation.”
Such is the family’s love for fostering that the youngest daughter, Roxanna, has also become a Foster Carer, following in Lesley’s footsteps and specialising in parent and child placements.
Lesley, Dominique, and Roxanna are shining examples of Foster Carers who have done an incredible amount to help looked after children and their mothers.
There is a huge shortage of Foster Carers nationwide and in the South West. Anyone can be a Foster Carer, but you must be over 21 years of age and have a spare room available for each foster child. To learn more about what it takes to become a Foster Carer, get in touch.