Chris and Jess have been approved as foster carers together since January 2025. While Chris had always hoped to care for teenagers, Jess initially felt more confident supporting younger children, where she believed her skills and experience were strongest.
Before being approved as a couple, Chris was an experienced foster carer in his own right. He supported a young person over many years and into adulthood, as well as providing respite care for several teenagers. Through these experiences, Chris discovered that he related well to teenagers and found helping them navigate challenges both rewarding and fulfilling.
Since becoming approved together, Chris and Jess have welcomed several teenagers into their home for both foster placements and short breaks. They recognise that every young person deserves an opportunity to thrive, regardless of their age or circumstances.
Jess admits that caring for teenagers initially felt daunting. However, having Chris’s experience alongside her, together with the excellent support of their Supervising Social Worker, Jenny, has given her the confidence to embrace this rewarding role.
“With Chris by my side and the support we receive from Jenny, we know we’re never on our own. There is always someone there to offer guidance, advice and reassurance.”
Reflecting on their experiences, Chris and Jess believe that successful fostering of teenagers is built on respect, consistency and strong relationships.
“It is important to give teenagers respect and, by doing so, they will often show respect in return. Boundaries are essential, but it is also important to give young people more freedom as they get older. Fairness and consistency help to maintain positive relationships, even when things become challenging.”
They also recognise the importance of helping young people develop the life skills they will need in adulthood.
“Sometimes teenagers need a little prompting when it comes to looking after themselves or keeping their bedrooms tidy. It’s important to help prepare them for independence so they can confidently look after themselves and their own homes in the future.”
For Chris and Jess, fostering is about balancing support with encouragement, helping young people develop independence while ensuring they remain part of family life.
“Teenagers need reassurance and positivity. They need to feel included in family activities and know that they belong. Seeing a young person grow in confidence and begin to trust you is incredibly rewarding.”
They also emphasise the importance of working positively with birth families wherever possible.
“Building good relationships with parents helps develop trust and respect. Open communication between everyone involved is vital.”
Preparation is another key ingredient for success. Before a young person moves in, Chris and Jess like to learn as much as possible about them, including their routines, interests and preferences.
“Understanding what a teenager enjoys and what their daily routine looks like can make a real difference in helping them settle into your home.”
For Chris and Jess, fostering teenagers has brought many rewards, from seeing young people achieve milestones to simply witnessing the smiles that come from feeling safe, valued and understood.
Their message is simple:
“Every child deserves a second chance, no matter what their age.”
If you are able to offer a home or short breaks to a teenager, contact us to find out more – https://torfaen.fosterwales.gov.wales/contact-us/
