Jeffrey's fostering journey

Jeffery has been brought up by a foster mum since he was 6.

Now aged 19, he is studying at Kingston College and hopes to set up his own events management social enterprise.

"I went into foster care with my older sister and brother, so there were two familiar faces which made adjusting easier. We were always treated the same as my foster mum's three children, we went on the same after-school schemes and did the same activities, and we all went to the same neighbourhood church. My foster mum focused on helping me succeed in school, and there was lots of positive engagement with other professionals, like social workers.

"If I didn't have a good carer it would have been harder to achieve what I have. In the care system you're open to a lot of distractions and it's easy to go down the wrong road. A good carer acts as a moral compass.

"I would say to anyone thinking of fostering, that when your motive is to benefit the child it's a brilliant, rewarding experience. You're benefiting a child's life and pointing them in a positive direction."