Sandra and Lee

Sandra and Lee have been foster carers for 23 years, looking after school aged children.

Sandra has worked in local schools for 20 years, now part-time with children with special educational needs. Lee is self-employed and the Director of a Property Maintenance business, Elliotts Property Services - currently offering a training opportunity to young people who have been in care through an apprenticeship with his business. 

They decided to become foster carers after Sandra suffered a brain virus 25 years ago. Friends and family supported them with their three young children. Sandra said: “We were so grateful and when I recovered, I wanted us to help other families who needed support. I saw an advert for a small Independent Fostering Agency (IFA), and we joined them. Initially things were fine, however, a much larger nationwide IFA later brought them.

“We could not foster the young people that they were contacting us about as their schools and family time with their birth families were too far away for us to manage.”

Sandra and Lee also felt they were not receiving the same level of support as before.

“Our neighbour is a Waltham Forest foster carer, we talked to her about her experience, and she was happy. She introduced us to Waltham Forest, and everything has been great. We had a wonderful social worker throughout our assessment.”

Waltham Forest respond to all enquiries swiftly, starting with an initial phone call, then a home visit by a social worker.

Sandra shared the benefits of fostering for the council: “The support is great, all the services work alongside each other. Also, there’s less disruption for children. They aim to keep children close to their schools and family network and friendship groups.

“I have also connected with other local carers, we are on a WhatsApp group and we check in with each other.”  

One highlight of Sandra and Lee’s time fostering with Waltham Forest has been winning a foster carer award for ‘going above and beyond,’ nominated by two sisters in care who said:  

“They have been very considerate and supportive towards us. They introduced us to their family and other foster carers, making sure we have someone to talk to. They understand our shyness and make us feel at home. Sandra’s dinners are delicious.”

Sandra concluded:

“To anyone considering becoming a foster carer or transferring to Waltham Forest I’d say go for it, it is definitely worthwhile.”  

Waltham Forest is part of Local Community Fostering, a network of four northeast London councils aiming to inspire more people to become foster carers. Call 020 8496 3437 or visit localcommunityfostering.co.uk to learn more.