Nub News puts the spotlight on local woman making a difference on children's lives with Thurrock Fostering.

WHEN Ros retired from a long career in education, she knew she wasn't ready to slow down completely.

Having worked as an assistant headteacher in schools in London and Abu Dhabi, retirement initially felt like a welcome change of pace. But after a few months, she found herself looking for a new challenge.

"I was having a great time at first," she said. "But after a while I started thinking there must be more to life than this. I'd had a really intense career and I knew I wanted to do something meaningful."

After seeing an advert for fostering on social media, Ros decided to make an enquiry. What followed was the start of a journey that would lead her to become a foster carer in 2026.

Although she had spent many years working with children, Ros wasn't convinced that teaching experience automatically translated into fostering.

"I think people assume that because you've worked with children, you'll naturally be good at fostering," she said. "But I felt they were subtly different skills. Having a child in your home is very different to working with children in a school environment."

Wanting to build her confidence before committing to full-time fostering, Ros chose to begin as a respite foster carer.

Respite foster carers provide short-term care for children and young people, giving foster families support during holidays, important family events and planned breaks.

For Ros, respite care offered the perfect introduction to fostering.

"It was a gentle but realistic way of experiencing foster care," she said. "The placements were time-limited and there was plenty of information beforehand so you could decide whether a placement would be a good match."

Ros says the support she received from her supervising social worker was invaluable. Placements were carefully matched to fit her lifestyle, allowing her to continue enjoying time with family and friends while making a difference to children's lives.

"I hadn't refused any of the children who were suggested for me because they were all such good matches," she said. "The information provided about routines, behaviour strategies, allergies and daily life meant I felt prepared and could provide continuity of care."

As her confidence grew, so did her enjoyment of fostering.

She found herself building relationships with children who returned for future respite stays, creating familiar and positive experiences for everyone involved.

"There was a real sense that the children were coming somewhere they knew and felt comfortable," she said. "They knew me, they knew my dog and they knew we were going to have a good time together."

Ros particularly enjoyed being able to take children on trips and activities during their stays.

"I think respite fostering can feel a little bit like a holiday for the children," she said. "You can focus on having fun together and creating positive memories."

She also credits Thurrock's foster carer training and support network with helping her develop new skills and friendships.

"The training has been amazing," she said. "I've learned things I wish I'd known when I was bringing up my own children and even when I was teaching. It really makes you think about how you respond to children."

Alongside the training, Ros has become part of a supportive community of foster carers.

"You meet other carers who understand what you're doing and can support you," she said. "Having moved to the area not long ago, fostering has helped me build friendships and become part of a community."

Now fostering full-time, Ros says taking that first step through respite care helped her realise she was capable of much more than she originally thought.

Looking back, she has simple advice for anyone considering fostering.

"I would say absolutely do it," she said. "You don't have to be perfect and you don't have to know everything at the start. There are people there to support you and you're learning all the time."

"I think there are so many different ways to foster that you can find something that fits around your life. I have absolutely no regrets. It's such a rewarding thing to do for children and for other foster carers, and it's enriched my life in ways I never expected."

Hear more about what Ros had to say:

Could you become a foster carer?

Whether you're looking to take your first step through respite care or are ready to foster full-time, Thurrock's fostering team can help you find the type of fostering that works for you.

If you have a spare room, a caring nature and want to make a lasting difference to a child's life, fostering could be more achievable than you think.

To find out more about fostering with Thurrock Council, visit the fostering pages on its website.