Foster carer champion

With the skills and talents of Super Woman and Mary Poppins, Steph Walsh (pictured left with Raj Mandal and Wayne Humberstone) takes on a variety of responsibilities focused on helping young people who need guidance and care.

As Lecturer in Childcare at Bedford College for the last 10 years and Special Constable with Bedfordshire Police for 17 years, Steph is to combine these skills in her new role as Lecturer in Public Services where she will teach students at Bedford College as well as police constables.

As full time Foster Carer for nearly 10 years, Steph offers guidance and care to troubled and challenging teenagers.  Up to 20 children aged 10+ have received Steph’s care and support, from one night to eighteen months.

Working under the umbrella of the Youth Care Scheme in Central Bedfordshire, Steph was the first carer in the pilot scheme set up in 2005 and is now joined by 14 other full time foster carers.  This offers young people aged 10+ years dedicated support in the home of foster carers on a one to one basis and 24 hours a day. Challenges for foster carers dealing with troubled young people include those who refuse to go to school or are excluded by school and those who abscond regularly and may be involved in criminal or anti-social activity.

Steph explained that her drive comes from the knowledge that many young people do not have the best start in life and deserve a chance and says:

“There are many rewards as a foster carer – and when you see an improvement in behaviour, confidence and independence it means so much. You need to have time and patience and be open to all situations – what fits with one individual may not fit with another. 

“You get such a lot back but may not always see it straight away.  It’s important to have a relaxed attitude and not take things personally as a foster carer. Just when you think the young person hasn’t listened to a word you’ve been saying – you realise they have.

“Often it means simply acting as a mum or dad and asking the young person why they are behaving in a certain way. 

“At Central Bedfordshire we are a close knit team that support each other and work closely with police and social workers to get the best for the young people we care for.”

Young people who need support are carefully matched to families with similar aged children or where they will fit in.  Steph can see how this works as her own son has shared his mum and home with other young people from the age of 5 years.

After leaving foster care, the young person may start semi-independent living or return home. 

Steph’s experience in foster care is also used to advise groups including:

• Northamptonshire County Council’s Fostering Panel, where she reviews applications for fostering.
• Newly set up Contact Point, a web-based national system for professionals who may have a concern about child protection.  The system shows the lead contact with responsibility for a particular child.  It strengthens communication channels and child protection and is in response to the Laming Report. As part of the Shielding Review Panel, Steph is responsible for making sure information is kept confidential when needed.
• Set up last year, the Children’s Workforce Development Council sets standards for those working with children and foster carers provide evidence to show how they work to support young people. Steph sits on a development panel to verify portfolios from foster carers in Bedfordshire.

With all that work – what better way to relax than with a cup of tea and slice of cake.

Anyone else might just pop into a café – but not Steph.  She has always dreamed of having a traditional tea shop where people can meet socially.  Not one to sit back and dream, Steph is about to make the dream a reality.

The Tea Rooms in Wollaston, due to open in the autumn, will not only serve tea and cakes but can be hired out for events from christenings, anniversaries and birthdays for those aged 1-101. 

Steph’s energy and enthusiasm as a foster carer have brought her to the attention of national media, where she has appeared on the Paul O’Grady Show, BBC Breakfast Time and BBC Radio 4 all in support of foster care and the young people she champions.

Find out more about the Public Services courses that Steph will be teaching.