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At i3Secure, we believe that the strength of our organisation lies in the values and dedication of our people—both in and out of the workplace. One of our team members, Charles Rae, has been a foster carer since 2011 alongside his professional career, and here he shares his journey of fostering thirteen children over the years, while navigating the demands of full-time work.
Charles’s story highlights not only the challenges and rewards of fostering, but also the importance of a supportive work environment that enables employees to thrive in their personal commitments. We are proud to share his experience as a testament to the power of flexibility, empathy, and community in the workplace.
Starting Out
My wife and I began our fostering journey in 2011 and during that time we have welcomed thirteen children into our home, ranging from five to fifteen years old. Some have stayed for a week or two, others for much longer, up to 9 years and counting. Each one brings their own trials, rewards, and a different challenge for us and our family to adapt to.
When we first started fostering, I was serving in the RAF, and the idea of juggling a demanding career with the needs of foster children felt daunting. Unpredictable schedules, working away from home, deployments at short notice—often lasting six months—only added to the uncertainty. My wife also worked and due to the demands of being a foster carer we made the decision that she would give up work.
Fostering is a commitment that extends far beyond providing a safe, nurturing home. It involves creating routine and stability. Meetings and training take up a lot of your time. Foster carers attend case reviews, training workshops, court hearings, and support groups—many of which occur during normal working hours.
Family contact is also something you will need to facilitate. This can be local or a distance away. Attending visits between children and their families is vital for emotional well-being.
The Role of a Supportive Employer
Managing these responsibilities alongside a full-time job requires flexibility and understanding—from both your fostering agency and your employer.
I am fortunate to work at i3Secure, where our Directors and Senior Leadership Team fully support my fostering role. Their flexibility allows me to adjust my hours for meetings, training sessions or if there is an emergency with one of the kids.
They take a genuine interest in how placements are progressing and how my family is coping. There are contingency plans and strategies in place if I am unexpectedly called away to ensure our clients’ needs are met and we continually deliver their requirements.
This environment allows me to excel both as a professional consultant and as a foster carer, without sacrificing one for the other.
If You’re Considering Fostering
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer I would give this advice.
Speak to your employer early and gain their support. Discuss the potential demands of fostering and explore flexible-working arrangements.
Build a support network with family and friends. They will be essential for those emergencies where the agency or local authority cannot be contacted.
Prepare for huge emotional ups and downs. Fostering can be rewarding but also challenging. Be ready to learn and adapt.
Connect with other foster carers to see how they manage. Their experience and support will be invaluable.
Above all, be prepared to be humbled by the resilience and spirit of the kids you welcome into your home. Despite the trauma and hardship they’ve faced, the children we care for still hold onto dreams and the belief that they can achieve them. As a foster carer, you have the privilege of nurturing that hope and watching it flourish.
Fostering is the most rewarding—and at times heart-breaking—thing you will ever do.
If you’re considering fostering, reach out to your local authority or fostering agency—you might just change a child’s life… and your own.
Read more insights from our team here.
