Kentish Express Ashford & District
Lighthouse shows way forward in fostering
A pioneering foster agency is giving you an opportunity to “rise to the challenge” and transform the lives of children who require foster care.
Lighthouse Fostering, based in Kent, Essex and south east London, is genuinely committed to provide young people with motivational, nurturing and insightful parenting to enable children to be “who they are” without having to prove themselves.
This truly unique organisation has been established by adults previously in care, foster carers, local authority managers, psychotherapists and educational psychologists with a combined experience of 400 years.
Lighthouse is seeking to transform fostering by encouraging people to see it as a career choice.
In recognition of the exceptional skills and commitment, a professional salary is provided along with a career structure and ongoing comprehensive training and development opportunities.
From the team's wealth of experience they have identified that the quality and consistency of support has a direct bearing on a successful outcome in foster care.
As part of their transformational approach, children and foster carers are put at the heart of everything they do.
Managing Director Kate Hamilton-Harris is passionate everyone is seen as an individual and that children’s behaviour can be viewed differently as a meaningful communications which reflect the inner conflict the child might be feeling.
Kate said: “We believe all children will have experiences which will affect their behaviour and self-image but by seeing carers as experts on everyday life we believe change can be promoted by mutual respect, strength of relationships and finding solutions together.”
“By encouraging this approach we will prevent children from experiencing rejection and further trauma which maybe compounded by multiple moves.
“Lighthouse Fostering does not have ‘types’ of people or the perfect image of a foster carer but sees everyone as unique as our children who equally come from all walks of life.”
Carers from all backgrounds regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion are invited to take the first step on a journey full of rewards.
The agency will provide support to meet the challenges of both the highs and lows through a professional relationship built on openness and honesty.
To find out more about why Lighthouse Fostering is unique and the different types of care please call Kate or the team at the Head Office on 03333 44 1914 or text LIGHTHOUSE to 88802.
The website www. lighthousefostering.co.uk has lots of information including ‘Myth-busting facts’.