Suzanne, Ray, Chantelle and Conor
aged 45, 40, 15 and 13
SUZANNE, RAY, CHANTELLE & CONOR are an active family who enjoy various outdoor activities. However, they have always been keen to ensure that the hobbies and interests of any children and young people placed with them are pursued. Suzanne and Ray have been married for 17 years and have a good social life, which centres around spending quality time with family and friends, and entertaining at home with summer barbeques and general get-togethers.
The family live in Lancashire, in a spacious detached property, with two bedrooms available for fostering children. Their home will appeal to young people because of the large garden that surrounds the house. There is also a park that backs directly on to the rear of the property. The conservatory acts as a games room, and hosts a variety of games, consoles and a pool table, which the children all enjoy while entertaining their friends.
Suzanne and Ray have been approved as foster carers since October 2006.
For around two years they have cared for D, not his real name, a 13-year-old boy, whilst long-term carers are identified for him. During this time, Suzanne and Ray have promoted D’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The couple have been strong advocates for him, which became most apparent when the need for therapeutic work was identified and they were able to pursue this on his behalf with the local authority. Early on in the placement, they also organised for D to have a routine eye examination, which identified problems that had not previously been diagnosed or treated. Subsequently, they have regularly taken D to appointments to monitor the condition.
The couple’s birth children, Chantelle and Conor, are welcoming and excited about the prospect of their parents permanently fostering a child. When Suzanne and Ray have provided foster care in the past, Chantelle has taken on the ‘thoughtful’ role, whilst Conor has had a more ‘hands-on’ approach.
Conor, is described as a ‘sports mad’ boy. He is very active and his main passions are football and basketball. Ray enjoys most sports and is especially supportive and encouraging of Conor and D, who both play football for their local team. Ray also supports and encourages D with playing basketball. Suzanne and Chantelle enjoy playing netball and having shopping trips together. Chantelle is a very thoughtful and considerate individual. She also likes arts and crafts, listening to music and socialising with friends and family.
Suzanne and Ray are both self-employed. Suzanne runs a driving school and is a qualified driving instructor, while Ray runs an overseas property consultancy and a local taxi company. Through his work at the taxi company, Ray has established contracts with the local authority to transport looked after children to and from their place of education. Due to the nature of Suzanne and Ray’s work, there is much flexibility for them to be available to meet all the needs of the children and young people placed with them. In addition, Suzanne and Ray have exceptional organisational skills and are very adaptable individuals.
Suzanne and Ray regularly attend training sessions held by their agency. Suzanne has also successfully completed her NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Children’s Pathway. She is also involved with foster training to potential foster carers, where she offers support and advice, as well as sharing her own experiences of being a foster carer. Suzanne and Ray’s training record, to date, includes Child Protection, Parenting a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused, Fostering Changes Positive Behaviours, Record Keeping, Managing Challenging Behaviour Awareness, Promoting Healthy Eating to Older Children, Basic Health and Safety, Basic Food Hygiene, Basic Fire Safety Training, Medication, Drugs, Alcohol and Substance Misuse, HIV and AIDS Training, and Essential First Aid.
Suzanne is a very friendly, caring and patient individual. She is easy to warm to, understanding and a good listener. Ray engages well with children and young people by ensuring that he does not take things personally. Together, Suzanne and Ray’s complementary natures and enthusiasm to foster will make them excellent permanent foster carers.
Ethnic and cultural descent: white British
Approval status: approved as permanent foster carers for two children, aged up to 16 years, of either gender
Area: north England
Mal Hussain
Perpetual Fostering
Tel: 01204 364 666.
Email: mal@perpetualfostering.co.uk.
Last updated: 23 September 08
