Growing up in Greenford, Lidia Redhead’s home was never just for her immediate family. For more than a quarter of a century, her parents opened their doors to roughly 20 children, providing a mix of respite, short-term, and long-term care. This environment, defined by a rotating cast of 13 foster brothers and sisters, did more than just shape Lidia’s childhood; it defined her professional and personal future.
Lidia witnessed firsthand the transformation of young people who arrived with significant challenges and left with renewed self-esteem. This experience led her directly into a career as a social worker and, eventually, back to the Ealing Council fostering program as a carer herself.
From a Greenford childhood to a career in social work
Lidia’s parents have been fostering for 26 years and remain active in the service today. Growing up in a household where sibling groups of three were common, Lidia describes the experience as inherently rewarding. Seeing children arrive with little hope and depart as “different children” inspired her to pursue social work to support families on a structural level.
In June 2019, Lidia and her partner, Rubin, decided to start their own journey. While Lidia was a veteran of the fostering lifestyle, Rubin was entirely new to the concept. Together, they applied through Ealing Council to begin their own placement history, driven by a shared desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of local youth.
Navigating the transition to fostering as a couple
Before welcoming their first child, the couple completed the Skills to Foster course. This program is designed to provide an unfiltered look at the realities of the role, including the trauma children may have experienced due to neglect or parental substance misuse.
Rubin notes that the introduction process was handled gradually, allowing the first child to spend time in their home before a full placement began. Since then, the couple has focused primarily on teenagers, caring for seven young people to date. Despite common misconceptions about fostering older children, Lidia views the trust built with a teenager as a unique privilege. Many of their former foster children remain in contact, returning to visit as extended members of the family.
Overcoming the hesitation of fostering as a single parent in Acton
Fostering stories in the borough are not limited to established families. Elena Fitkov-Norris, a resident of Acton, began exploring fostering after her own children had grown and left home. Initially, she felt a sense of trepidation, questioning whether a single carer could manage the responsibility.
Attending training events initially heightened her anxiety as she saw many couples in the room. However, the support network provided by the council helped shift her perspective. Elena realized she was not an isolated caregiver but part of a wider professional network including social workers, therapists, and other experienced carers. This realization allowed her to move forward, and she now credits her foster child with enriching her family’s life and bringing them closer together.
Key points for prospective Ealing carers
- Support Networks: Single carers like Elena receive the same access to professional networks and training as couples.
- Teenager Placements: There is a significant need for carers willing to support teenagers, a demographic Lidia Redhead describes as deeply rewarding to work with.
- Introductory Training: The Skills to Foster course is mandatory and provides a realistic preview of the challenges and rewards involved.
Connecting with the Ealing fostering community this month
Robert South, Ealing Council’s strategic director of children’s services, highlighted the vital role these residents play in maintaining the stability of the borough’s youth. To support Foster Care Fortnight, the council is hosting several outreach events where residents can speak directly with social workers and current carers.
Outreach sessions are scheduled for Friday, 15 May, at Ealing Town Hall. Further events will take place on Saturday, 16 May, at the Westway Cross Shopping Centre in Greenford, and on Friday, 22 May, at Quality Foods and Iceland in Southall. All sessions run from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, offering a drop-in format for those looking to understand the application process or the support available for different types of placements.
Source: Ealing Council
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