Being a foster carer is something that Kieran Anders has wanted to do for a long time.

But as a a single person who works full time for a charity he set up four years ago, he wasn’t sure it would be possible.

Kieran knew that he could provide a loving, caring home that is a safe place for a child or young person and, despite the country being in national lockdown, he started the application process in June last year.

Now, less than 12 months later, the hardworking 42-year-old has become a foster carer and already has his first child staying with him.

Browsing on social media to pass the time during the height of the pandemic, Kieran saw a post on Facebook asking people to consider becoming a foster carer for Bolton Council.

He clicked on the link, signed up for a webinar and came up with a few questions about foster caring that he needed to know the answers to.

As a single person, Kieran wanted to make sure that the fostering team would welcome him on board and as operations manager of Dad Matters - a perinatal mental health charity supporting new dads in the first two years of a baby’s life - he also wanted to ensure that he could continue working full time if a child was to be placed in his care.

The Bolton News:

Kieran said: “Before the pandemic, I worked full time at Dad Matters and was also a DJ part time, so when lockdown hit I had a lot of time on my hands.

“I needed to plan for the future and fostering was something I’d always wanted to do but I thought I’d have to wait.

“I knew I had something to offer a child or a young person.”

The application process for Kieran to become a foster carer took place during lockdown so his meetings and training sessions all took place virtually.

He said: “It was quite a long process and we went into a lot more detail than I thought we would.

“We discussed everything that has happened in my life, from birth right up to today, and it was quite therapeutic talking to someone about everything.

“It was a very reflective process and very supportive.

“I found myself thinking about all the things in my life that were important not just for fostering but for life in general.

“I’m now six weeks into my first placement and it’s going swimmingly - we’re having a great time.

“I’m really surprised at how well I’ve taken to it.

“I get a lot from it and I know the young person living with me would say the same.

“We have a great relationship and I’m just sad that it took me to the age of 42 to go through with it.

“If you’re thinking about fostering then get in touch with the fostering team about what it entails and hopefully you’ll find it as rewarding as I do.”

For more information about becoming a foster career visit www.bolton.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@bolton.gov.uk or call 0800 107 1564.

Do you have what it takes to be a foster carer?

While the focus has been on foster care fortnight over the past two weeks, there is no set time to apply to become a foster carer.

Bolton Council’s fostering team encourages and welcomes applications all year round.

When you feel the time is right and you meet the essential criteria, why not get in touch?

If you feel a role caring for children and young people is important, you are over the age of 21 and have a spare room, then you have already ticked three of the boxes required to be a foster carer.

If you want to apply as a couple, you need to have been together for two years but you are welcome to apply as a single person as well.

With many questions and lots to learn, the qualified fostering team will be on hand to help and support you on your journey every step of the way.