Foster carer Dean works within adult services for Portsmouth City Council, supporting adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities. He began his career as a driver and support worker, and now manages transport arrangements so individuals can attend day services. His team is highly trained to meet complex needs, and Dean has always been passionate about helping people live fulfilling lives.
That same passion for care and inclusion inspired Dean and his wife to become foster carers. With a large family of five children, fostering felt like a natural extension of their values. But the real turning point came years ago, on a cold winter night, when Dean encountered a young boy sleeping outside near his back gate.
The moment that changed everything
Dean recalls the moment vividly: “We came home one night when our kids were younger and found a young boy outside, clearly vulnerable and with nowhere safe to go. It was a cold evening, and we couldn’t leave him out there, so we brought him in and gave him a place to stay.”
The boy stayed with Dean and his family for six months. During that time, he began to trust them and slowly opened up about his life. He shared that he and his sister had been placed into care because of their parents’ struggles with addiction. Sadly, they couldn’t be placed together, and he had ended up in a children’s home where he had experienced bullying.
Later, he moved into foster care, but the frequent changes and lack of stability had left a lasting impact. With Dean’s support, he was able to reconnect with his family and eventually move back to Scotland, where he built a stable life with a job and a relationship.
“That experience stayed with us,” Dean says. “We saw what happens when siblings are split up and how much that affects them. From that day, we knew that if we ever fostered, we’d do everything we could to keep brothers and sisters together.”
Dean’s fostering journey
Dean and his wife began fostering 12 years ago. Their first fostering arrangement was a 13-year-old girl who stayed with the family until she turned 18. She had experienced significant trauma, but with time and support, she grew in confidence and independence. Dean says, “She had a lot of challenges, but seeing her change and thrive was incredible. We’re still in touch today.”
After a short break, Dean received a call on a Friday afternoon about a young boy with additional needs who needed a foster home urgently. Dean explains, “We knew if we didn’t take him, he’d possibly end up out of the city, and we couldn’t let that happen.” The boy came to them at age five and is now 13, a much-loved part of the family.
There are many types of fostering and everyone will be able to find one that’s the right fit for them. This could be a short or long-term arrangement for a child or siblings until they’re ready to live independently or be reunited with family, support for children with a disability or children seeking safety and asylum, Supported Lodgings to develop their independent living skills, a parent and baby arrangement, or respite care.
Four years later, Dean’s daughter and son-in-law had just moved out when another call came; this time about three sisters. Their father was terminally ill, and their mother had learning disabilities. The girls needed a home, and Dean didn’t hesitate. “We had the space, and we didn’t want them separated. That was always in the back of our minds because of that boy years ago.”
Today, those girls are thriving (now aged 19, 17 and 14) and still part of the family. Dean says, “We enjoy having a full house. Fostering has truly become a family effort. If we need a break, our older children step in and help.”
Balancing fostering with work
Managing fostering alongside his role in adult services has been possible thanks to Portsmouth City Council’s positive support. Dean’s manager has been understanding and proactive, ensuring he has flexibility for training and school meetings. “The council gives time off for training and works with me. My manager has been brilliant; she researched what help she could offer and really got invested,” Dean explains.
Read about our Foster Friendly Employer scheme
A typical day for Dean starts early. “I’m up at 6.15am to get the children ready for school. We have breakfast together, then I head to work while my wife manages things at home. I finish by 3pm so I can be there when the children return. Evenings are busy with homework, dinner, and family time, but it’s very rewarding.”
The rewards of fostering
For Dean, the most rewarding part of fostering is seeing the children grow in confidence and happiness. “When the girls first arrived, they were quiet and withdrawn. Today, they’re confident young women which will help them in future. A smile, a laugh, or a moment of trust means everything.”
Dean believes fostering isn’t about being perfect: it’s about being consistent, caring, and treating children as you would your own. “People think you need to be special to foster, but you just need to be normal. If you treat them like any other child, you’ll get paid back tenfold in reward.”
He also stresses the importance of maintaining family connections. “We work hard to keep relationships going. The girls visit their nan every week, and their mum comes to our home regularly. It’s not just about the children, you need to keep the family links strong too.”
Advice for colleagues considering fostering
Anyone aged 21+ with a spare bedroom could foster with Foster Portsmouth regardless of their age, gender, faith, ethnicity, sexuality, marital or work status, or whether they rent or own their own home.
Foster Portsmouth offer foster carers competitive fees and allowances for each child in their care, a bespoke training programme and 24/7 support, access to our mentoring scheme and the award-winning Mockingbird model of care, discounts and benefits, social activities, and free membership to The Fostering Network.
Dean encourages anyone considering fostering to give it a try. “You’ll gain more than you ever imagined. It’s not about being remarkable; it’s about being willing to provide love, stability, and routine. Children with additional needs just need boundaries and care, like any child.”
He adds, “Fostering changes lives. Not just for the children, but for you too. It opens your eyes to different experiences and makes you appreciate life in new ways. If you have the space and the heart, give it a try. All children deserve a chance, and you could be the one to give it to them.”
To enquire about fostering with Foster Portsmouth, or to arrange a 1:1 with one of our experienced team or existing foster carers, please contact us.
