Fostering like a Lioness

They may have just missed out on the big one, but we’re sure you’ll agree, England’s Lionesses did us proud at the Women’s World Cup. The passion, skill and determination they showed throughout the whole tournament was an example to us all and has surely inspired so many – women, men, girls and boys. Did you know though, that they’ve been helping to inspire foster carers too?

As part of the lead up to WWC2023, around twenty local councils banded together to create football themed videos, which were then released as the tournament progressed. Including players, carers and young people, they were designed to encourage both footballers a new generation of fosterers. And we loved them.

It all got us thinking, fostering and football really do suit each other. It’s not just the campaign that unites the two, there are so many skills that crossover both sectors. So, how to rock at both? Interested newcomer, or experienced pro, here’s our guide to fostering like a lioness. Grrrrrrr…

First, there’s TALENT. Just like football, to be a foster carer does need some natural talent. Some people will love it, others will find it’s not for them. Just like the local councils, we’ll always be (nicely) honest with you on your fostering journey. We’ll also take any amount of talent you have and help your grow it exponentially with our specialist training and nurture it with regular catch ups. We love seeing a wide variety of caring humans become amazing professional carers!

Next, TEAMWORK. One Lioness alone cannot win, but a squad of players with a team of coaches, physios and nutritionists behind them can take on the world. And it’s just the same with fostering. Footprints, carers, social workers, teachers, doctors and more all combine and work as a team to help each child in our care be safe, grow and achieve their full potential. Foster carers never stand alone – there is always support.

Then there’s COMPASSION. The Women’s World Cup produced many great moments, but two important ones may have passed you by. Moments our Lionesses showed their class in compassion. After their penalty victory against Nigeria, Chloe Kelly ran not to her own teammates, but to console opposition goalie and shoo away a prying cameraman. The following match saw our Head Coach, Sarina Weigman comfort Colombia’s Carolina Arias as she was carried off distraught and injured at half time. In the heat of the game, neither Lioness had lost sight of the bigger picture.

Foster carers need a healthy sense of compassion and humanity too. To truly help, a person needs to truly care. Even if life has been a battle during the day!

We’ll be honest, it takes EFFORT too. Day in, day out, the Lionesses put the miles in. Training, practice, diet and working on their mental strength as well. Thankfully, fostering isn’t quite as brutal as that, but it still takes determination, dedication and sometimes simply hard work. Neither profession is easy, but both in our minds are hugely rewarding and worth every minute of effort.

There’s also the skill of APOLOGY. In a shocking moment against Nigeria, forward Lauren James was sent off for stamping on her opponent. Following this, she openly tweeted her apology to all, which was graciously accepted by both her opponent and coach, Weigman. The matter was dealt with, a suitable punishment served and equilibrium restored. In fostering, humans are involved and sometimes everyone will err. Fosterers, like Lionesses, need the ability to gently apologise when they get something wrong and, in turn, be able to accept apologies from those in their care. Modelling and encouraging these behaviours not only makes for a more harmonious homelife, it shows children that they are valued and teaches them essential life skills.

Finally, BOUNCEBACK and CELEBRATE. The Lionesses may not be quite ready to celebrate yet, but they will be. Football and fostering both come with times which don’t go to plan – the key is to be able to bounce back and keep going. Then, when victories come, celebrate! In her key team talk after defeat in the final, Weigman told her players to be proud of themselves and foster carers should too. On the fostering journey every victory and every milestone, big or small, should be celebrated. They prove the job is amazing!

If you’d like to find out more about fostering, or join our Footprints team, please contact us – we’d love to encourage a whole new and a whole current generation of fosterers. Especially those who grab life and foster like a Lioness.