Connie and Jatinder’s story
- sophiemorgan45
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Meet Connie and Jatinder – they hadn’t planned to become foster carers, but when a friend of their son’s needed a safe place to stay, they stepped in. Now, nearly three years on, they’re fostering older children and sharing their journey – the unexpected beginning, the proudest moments, and the difference fostering has made to their lives.
“We hadn’t planned on becoming foster carers - it just happened. One day, a friend of our son’s needed help and a place to stay after things broke down at home. He had been sofa-surfing for five weeks and had seen things no young person should. We agreed to let him stay for a few nights and reached out to social services. When it became clear that his only option might be a residential home that wouldn’t meet his additional needs, we decided he could stay with us for as long as he needed as kinship carers. It wasn’t really a decision; it simply felt right. We could see the potential in this young person, knew we could make a difference, and just couldn’t stand by and watch him get lost in the system. Teen placements are rare, and we knew that if we didn’t step up, perhaps no one would.”
“Nearly three years have passed, and we now foster older children, having moved from kinship carers to full foster carers. The young man who started it all encouraged us to take this step when he was accepted into university. Our house is his family home: he returns during the holidays and has become a wonderful role model and supportive friend to every young person we care for.”
“The application process to become kinship carers was intrusive, but our assessing social worker was incredible, guiding us through every stage at a pace we were comfortable with. It’s easy to see why the process has to be so thorough - they’re trusting you with vulnerable children who need care and safety. The training has been fantastic: not only does it help you develop new skills, but what you learn can apply to your own children too. It opens your eyes and changes how you see things.”
“The Barnsley Fostering community is amazing. Support is always just a phone call away. Our supervising social worker is there for us at every step, and there’s a whole family of other foster carers who truly understand what you’re experiencing. You can always ask for advice or simply chat with someone who gets it. Events are a real highlight: carers and children come together, and it feels like an extended family.”
“Watching our foster son grow has been an incredible journey. He went from leaving school and not wanting further education to enjoying college, applying for university, and excelling there - something he never thought possible. He has faced his challenges, embraced new opportunities, and his future looks bright. We’ve seen him learn to drive and pass his test, organise get-togethers at our house, and even introduce us to his girlfriend. He has grown from an awkward teen into a confident young adult with strong values and a great sense of humour. He sees us as family, and Connie is his “borrowed mum”. He is truly part of our family. What makes us proudest is that every Thursday evening, while at university, he phones Connie for a long chat to catch up - he has never missed a week. Those calls are special and mean the world to us.”
“Fostering has changed how we view behaviour in young people and adults alike. We’re more patient now, and the training has helped us understand that there’s always a reason behind a child’s behaviour. It has taught us to question, listen, and grow.”
“If you’re thinking about fostering, just do it. There’s nothing to lose by enquiring or applying, and you can always change your mind. It’s important to consider what’s right for you and for the young person you may care for; if it’s not a good fit, it’s better to say so - for everyone’s sake. But if you do go ahead, you’ll find love, laughter, and lasting friendships with other carers. It’s a support network that’s there for you, whether you need advice, a chat, or a shoulder to lean on. The team at Barnsley Fostering is fantastic too.”
“Foster carers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and every single one is needed. You are needed. We might not be able to change the whole world, but through fostering we can transform a child’s life - giving them a home, the love they deserve, and hope for a brighter future.”
Is there room in your life to provide a loving home for a child in need? We have an incredible fostering community of 130+ families and we'd love to have you! Book a call back with our friendly team to find out what fostering could look like for your family!
