Ahead of Mother's Day tomorrow (Sunday, 30 March) a caring Essex mum has told of the impact being a foster parent has had on her life.

Foster carers come from all different walks of life, each bringing unique life experiences. Read more about Kaylie's experience as a foster parent below. 

KAYLIE began her journey into fostering inspired by her auntie who was a foster carer for Essex.

Working in a primary school, Kaylie worked with children in care, which further sparked her desire to start fostering at age 26.

After having her daughter, she applied to foster, initially, she only planned to foster babies, but now the family welcome children of all ages into their home.   

Kaylie said: "It's really rewarding to see a child who has been through a lot of trauma flourish and develop while living with your family. Foster parents don't replace birth parents but provide a nurturing environment for children in need as they grow up. As a family, we are still in contact with all the children we have fostered and get along well with their birth parents." 

Kaylie is currently fostering three children and has three birth children. Her birth children have always seen the foster children as part of the family, as they were quite young when Kaylie started fostering. It has been a normal and positive experience for them. 

She emphasises the importance of building a relationship with the birth parents where appropriate. She approaches each child without any preconceived notions or judgement. This helps in sharing information and making life easier for the children. 

The financial support provided by Essex County Council's Fostering service has given Kaylie the flexibility to foster and be at home with her birth children, while positively impacting the lives of many foster children.

She said: "My children have always been used to having other children in our house as I started fostering when they were very young. They don't see them any differently to themselves and get on well with the children." 

While fostering, like parenting, can be challenging at times, Kaylie has received lots of support from her dedicated supervisor and a community of foster carers around her. Essex County Council organise events such as bowling and outdoor play for the children and their siblings to ensure they are supported and can talk to peers. There are also lots of different support groups and networks for foster parents to join – as well as access to a mental health professionals.  

Kaylie says, "To anyone thinking of fostering, I would say just go for it - especially those with children already. They really enjoy having more children to Play and interact with and fostering has led my children to be much more emotionally intelligent and nurturing towards children who have had a hard start in life. It's amazing to see the positive effects we can have on other children as a family."  

Essex County Council supports carers through training and access to social workers who help foster carers through their journey. Increased financial support means foster carers who start fostering in 2025 will receive a £2,000 welcome bonus.

Foster carers' fees have also risen 16%and are in line with inflation. A foster carer looking after an 11 to 15-year-old child would receive £588.77 a week, per child which is £30,616 per annum and you do not pay tax on your earnings as a foster carer. Fees can rise to £1,317 a week for children with complex needs. 

Find out more by visiting: https://www.essex.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/fostering