Claudette
aged 48
CLAUDETTE is a single carer who loves walking and attending the gym. She lives in a three-bedroomed terraced house, which she owns, in the Midlands with Chante, her adoptive daughter, aged 15. Chante really enjoys her keyboard lessons. Claudette and Chante are both looking forward to welcoming another child to their family.
Chante was initially placed with Claudette in Spring 2002 as a long-term foster placement. However, the placement was such a positive one that Claudette adopted Chante in Spring 2004. Claudette and Chante have a close relationship, and enjoy various activities together. These include swimming, gardening and cycling. Claudette is a devout Catholic and both she and Chante regularly attend their local Catholic Church together, and enjoy the social links this provides.
Claudette and Chante's home is situated on a housing estate, close to a variety of schools and local shops. The town centre is a short drive away, and there is also regular public transport provided by both trains and buses. There are many leisure facilities, a local hospital with an emergency department, and several health centres. Claudette drives and owns her own car.
Claudette does not currently work, but has had a variety of factory jobs in the past. She gave up work when Chante was placed with her. However, Claudette does occasionally clean for a lady who lives locally.
Claudette was born in Jamaica, where she and her two cousins were looked after by two carers, while her birth mother came to England to find work. For the next 15 years, this was Claudette's family. She describes this time as happy, but that she always knew she would later be expected to move to England to live with her birth mother. When this finally happened, Claudette found that she did not get on with her birth family, and she experienced physical abuse from her birth mother. She spent the remainder of her childhood in residential care.
Claudette's experiences have helped to form her character and personality. She has matured into a strong and self-sufficient woman with a warm and generous personality, and someone who has a strong sense of their own identity. As a single carer, she owns her home and manages her finances impeccably.
Claudette has a personal understanding of many of the issues that a black child in care might face, and is aware of the difficulties in maintaining relationships with birth parents, siblings and other significant people from a child's past. Her strengths lie in her ability to nurture and show interest in a child. Claudette's advocacy skills are excellent, and she would be able to promote a child's interests in many areas.
Ethnic and cultural descent: black African-Caribbean and white Irish and Scottish
Approval status: approved as a permanent foster carer for a girl, aged from five to 11, of black or mixed ethnicity and ideally of Catholic faith, or willing to take part in church activities
Area: central England
Maureen Allmand
SACCS Family Placement
Tel: 01743 850086.
Email: maureena@saccs.co.uk.
Last updated: 03 April 08
