Introducing a foster child into your home can feel unnerving for everyone involved. You may be anxious to help them settle in, especially as many of them feel overwhelmed and frightened in their new unfamiliar environment. Here is a guide to supporting your foster child as they settle into your home.
Set Up Their Bedroom
The chances are you would have received some information about your foster child before they arrive in your care. You will know their age, gender, and some of their likes and dislikes so you can arrange their room accordingly. You do not need to redecorate for every child who comes into your care but a few books or pictures you know they will like could make a world of difference to them and help them to feel at home.
Make Them Feel Welcome
There is a fine line between being welcoming and overwhelming your foster child so you should let them take the lead as to how comfortable they are around you initially. However, smiling and asking them what foods they like to eat can help them to relax. Other children and pets can be great levellers too.
Show Them the House
Make sure that your foster child knows where everything is such as the toilet, outside space, and quiet areas. This way they will become familiar with your home quickly. You can explain how things work and any house rules you have as you go along so that they don’t seem too daunting to begin with.
Work on Mealtimes
Offer your foster child a drink and snack when they come into your home and let them know what time they can expect meals. Food can be a source of anxiety for neglected children so bare this in mind from the outset. Allowing children to help you plan meals is an effective way of getting to know their likes and dislikes and stops them from worrying that you might serve up food that they don’t like.
Be Patient
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is the relationship between foster children and foster parents. Give them time and space to settle into family life if they need it and allow them to settle in at their own pace.
Introduce Routines
The sooner you introduce routines, the better, as they let your foster child know what is expected of them. This will create a sense of normality around your home which will help them to relax and feel more comfortable.
Show Them Around the Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood gives people a sense of belonging and having the support of a community can help a foster child to relax and settle into their new environment. If you are fostering through an agency such as orangegrovefostercare.co.uk, take advantage of their local links and the networking opportunities you are offered so that your foster child gets a sense of belonging. Helping a foster child to settle in takes forethought and patience, but you will get there, and following this guide will help you to offer them an environment they can feel at home
