Fostering a Better Future: Mum unable to have more children went on to foster 25 young people

Being unable to have any more biological children spurred a selfless woman to start fostering more than a decade ago.

Fourteen-years-ago Jo Austin started her life-changing journey as a foster carer with Portsmouth City Council. Not only has she cared for 25 young people, but she is also the fostering ambassador for Portsmouth and the South East.

Jo is backing the Fostering a Better Future campaign, launched by The Portsmouth News on August 11, to support the recruitment of more foster carers amid a national decline.

Since 2021, the number of carers has fallen by 10 per cent while the demand for homes continues to spike. In Hampshire, there are approximately 1,700 children in care, including an estimated 400 in Portsmouth alone.

A lack of space, financial pressures and misconceptions about the care system are among the factors contributing to the decline in people coming forward to foster, as councils across the country, including Portsmouth, work to recruit more carers.

The 60-year-old said: “I love my job. I’m very grateful that I have three children of my own but I wanted more and couldn’t have any more biologically. I thought as mine got older it would be really good to welcome other young people who maybe didn't have such a good start as my kids into our home.

“I have helped 25 young people and every single one of them have come into my home and been part of the family for however long they have needed. We hope that some of how we live, with good examples of kindness and respect, is passed onto our young people wherever they are in life after that.”

The single parent carer, who suffers from several autoimmune diseases, primarily fosters children with complex and special educational infuenced by a background in nursing. Her 34-year-old son, who is autistic, has ADHD and learning difficulties, is her inspiration to work with young people who need extra support.

She told The News her original plan was to foster children for longer periods of time and that she “had this vision in my head that I would foster one young person who was young, sick or disabled and that they would grow up with us as part of our family.”

Jo explained: “But I have also fostered teenagers, sibling groups, parents with their children like mums and babies together, which is something I never thought I would do. I had this really clear idea and I didn’t stick to it at all.”

The first child Jo fostered was anticipated to live with her on a long-term basis, but she was taken to stay with her extended family. Jo said “you do get heartbreak when they move on because you get attached” and it is “almost like grief” but fostering has provided “so many wonderful rewards”.

The carer continued: “We had our Christmas miracle - a little girl who wouldn’t eat but on Christmas day came to the table to eat with us. We’ve seen teenagers who wouldn't want to go to school start going to school and getting 98 per cent attendance rates.

“Even things like eating around a table. Some of our children have never had a table to eat around and they come to use and we like the social element of mealtime, sitting around the table, chatting about your day. People think that these are not big achievements but actually that’s a huge achievement for some of ours, especially the younger ones - that’s massive.

“Our children have come from great trauma so you have to be in a real good place yourself mentally. A lot of our young people don’t trust grown ups at all, because in the past, grown ups, even their parents, have let them down.”

Jo recalled a pivotal moment in her foster career when she took in a five-month-old baby who “hadn’t had any attention and just stared vacantly into space”. After a matter of weeks, the little girl started bonding with the carer and her birth children, and even began smiling.

“When you see those seeds being sown and children starting to trust grown up and adults in their lives, that's a real big moment. They start to come forward and want to be close to you and spend time with you rather than keeping away and you see those bonds of trust. That is the biggest reward”, she continued.

Last year, Jo’s health deteriorated meaning she had to take a step back from full-time caring but, despite this, she continues to help young people as a supported lodgings carer. Her latest role allows her to look after vulnerable people between 16 and 25 who are not yet ready for full independence.

The ambassador maintains contact with many of those she has cared for over the years. “ I have got a scrapbook of all the children that have come and their happy smiley faces,” she said.

Commenting on the lack of carers, the mum-of-three said “there is a big stigma about it” but there is a “cohesive and collaborative team” at the council’s fostering service - Foster Portsmouth - that offers 24/7 guidance.

She also noted how the cost of living crisis has made committing to fostering more difficult in recent years, resulting in more children having to live in residential care homes. While there is an allowance for fostering for both the child and carer, she acknowledges “there is a lot of outlay too.”

“Not a lot of younger people can afford as big a house as in the past so there aren’t as many spare rooms going,” she said. “Those with spare rooms tend to be the older populations, reaching retirement age, and might not want to foster.”

Despite the challenges of fostering, Jo said she would not change a thing. She continued: “I would recommend fostering, it has changed my world, and for my adult children too. We have learned so much about life, so much empathy.

“For anyone considering it, come and speak to foster careers, let them tell you. Hear it word of mouth. They have got the knowledge, they have got the experience, they want to share it with you and they’d love to talk to you.”

To be an eligible foster carer:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Have a legal right to work or live in the UK
• Possess a spare bedroom
• Pass a background check
• Live in the UK

For more information about fostering in Portsmouth, call 0300 131 2797 or email [email protected].

To get involved in fostering in Hampshire, call 0300 131 2797 or email [email protected].

For more information about The News’ Fostering a Better Future campaign, click here.