Julie and Karl – Emergency Duty

From Mainstream to Emergency: Julie and Karl

We joined the Emergency Duty team after experiencing a period of mainstream fostering and we have found that taking numerous children in on an emergency basis has been both challenging (at times) and rewarding. We might have a baby, sibling group older children or asylum-seeking young people and whether they leave us after one night or a few, we know we have made a difference.

Being an Emergency Foster Carer gives you the opportunity to use your experience and training to settle the children at such a traumatic time for them. We work hard to make them feel at ease, giving them the food they would like, letting them know where things are and how the house works.

The best part of Emergency Care is seeing the children leave the house with a smile on their face after they had arrived with trepidation. There have been quite a few success stories, but being able to settle a child and help them be able to move on in a calm state and understand what is happening is a great feeling. We have to be the calm in the storm. We would say the main responsibility of an Emergency Foster Carer is to welcome the child into your home, settle the child and give them reassurance that in time their lives will change for the better.

Flexibility and Recharge:

The role of ED Foster Carer very much fits in with our lifestyle as unlike foster carers who have children 24/7 we are able to have time to ourselves due to working on a 2 weeks on 2 weeks off rota basis. We also find that we are able to recharge our batteries with the 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off rotating duties. There have been occasions when we are on duty that we have no children at all for the duration of our time on the rota. 

You also need to have the mindset that you can have a child placed with you from 5.30pm through to 9am the following day, so your phone may go off during the night and if a child is placed with you they may not be collected until 12.00pm the following day. On a weekend a child can be placed at 5.30pm and will stay with you until possibly 12.00pm on the following Monday, unless the child is at school and is then collected in time to get them to school. You always have to be prepared for any eventuality so we’ve got a whole load of toothbrushes and pyjamas ready for whoever walks through the door.

We’ve had some real characters come to us and have learnt so much by caring for different young people. To fulfil this role we think you would need to be a caring and nurturing person who recognises that children may exhibit the most challenging behaviours during what is possibly the most traumatic time in their young lives.

Qualities of an Emergency Foster Carer:

For those considering Emergency Duty, Julie and Karl emphasise the importance of being caring, nurturing, and understanding. Recognising that challenging behaviours may stem from difficult circumstances is key to providing effective support.

Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're passionate about helping children during their most vulnerable moments and possess the flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations, Emergency Duty fostering might be the perfect fit for you. Get in touch to learn more about this rewarding and dynamic role.