Described by their supervising social worker as “exceptional and exemplary foster carers and mentors who should be commended for their incredible commitment to fostering” Neil and Mandy Balfe have been fostering with Foster Wales Pembrokeshire since 2008.
why neil and mandy decided to foster
Neil’s parents started fostering when he was 16 and he had always wanted to foster.
Mandy, who trained as a nursery nurse, worked at Mount Airey assessment unit which she helped set up alongside the teacher, working with children with additional learning needs. She then moved to Sir Thomas Picton where she job-shared with a friend, looking after a child who was visually impaired.
When their boys were in full time school, Mandy worked fulltime with children with special needs at Hakin Speech and Language Unit. It was there that she came across children who were looked after and the couple decided to find out more about becoming foster carers.
Thankfully, for Foster Wales Pembrokeshire, they were approved in June 2008!
how they started
They started offering weekend respite to a child as this enabled Mandy to work alongside caring for him at weekends and during school holidays. Mandy, Neil and the family enjoyed looking after him so much that they offered a home to a 15 year old girl fulltime. 16 years later she is still very much part of their family, the daughter they never had. Since 2013 Mandy has been fostering full time.
now they’ve done every kind of fostering
During their fostering career, Neil and Mandy have provided respite and short breaks, as well as a long term home, to over 40 children, several of whom are still in touch with them, turning to them for advice and support and the young person they have cared for over the last 5 years is staying on with them on a When I’m Ready basis. There is no doubt that Neil and Mandy have contributed to the self-esteem and wellbeing of those young people who they have truly cared for.
the positives of fostering teenagers
When asked about the positives of fostering teenagers, they say:
“Older children and teenagers can do so much more for themselves whereas with younger children you have demands 24/7. There’s no nappy changing or toilet training. They can still have tantrums but they’re different!!
You can have very interesting conversations and they have more understanding of what’s going on in their lives and can sometimes see the positives of being in care.
Yes teenagers are challenging but all ages come with their own challenges at the different stages of growing.
Once you get over the challenges you can achieve positive outcomes which are very rewarding.”
