From helping pupils to helping children feel at home

When Rachael retired from a career in education and her own children had left home, she felt it was the right time to open her home and give something back through fostering. 

Having spent years as a teacher, a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and, finally, a headteacher, she'd always enjoyed working with children and helping them believe in themselves. 

For Rachael, fostering isn't about being perfect. It's about bringing everyday qualities that many people already have. 

"The skills that transfer are empathy, seeing the child, problem-solving, active listening and letting children know that, whatever happens, you're still there for them," Rachael says. 

She believes one of the most important aspects of fostering is taking the time to understand each child as an individual. When children stay with Rachael and her husband, they help them feel at home by finding out their favourite foods, listening to their interests and helping them feel comfortable. 

"We're led by the child. If they start to express an interest in something, that can affect the way we approach the whole weekend," she says. 

One young person arrived for a short break with a passion for fishing. Although Rachael and her husband knew nothing about the hobby, they embraced the opportunity, learned more about it and took him fishing during his stay. 

For Rachael, fostering is as much about having fun as it is about providing care. Whether that's learning a new hobby, spending time outdoors or enjoying family activities together, she believes children should feel part of family life. 

The rewards often come from the smallest moments. Rachael remembers walking with a child who suddenly grabbed her arm and asked if they could skip together. 

"I thought, 'OK, we'll give this a go.' I probably looked absolutely ridiculous, but in that moment, I just thought, 'This is great.' I've got a lot of joy from having children in our home." 

Those family moments are what make fostering so special for both Rachael and her husband. 

Through Dorset Council's See Yourself Fostering campaign, residents are being encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and ask themselves whether they could provide the support, stability and encouragement that children in care need.

For anyone considering fostering, Rachael's message is simple: don't underestimate the qualities you already have. Empathy, patience, listening skills, a sense of humour and a willingness to try new things can make an enormous difference to a child's life. 

In return, fostering can bring joy, laughter and experiences you never expected. 

Learn more and watch Rachael's fostering story. 

Could you foster with Dorset Council? 

By fostering with your local authority, you can help children and young people stay close to their schools, friends, family networks and the communities they know and love. 

There are many ways to foster, including short breaks, supported lodgings and long-term fostering. Full training, ongoing support and weekly payments are available, as well as access to our experienced Dorset-wide fostering community. 

Visit www.fosterwithdorsetcouncil.com/see-yourself-fostering or call 0300 456 0120 to learn more about the training, support and financial payments available to Dorset Council foster carers.