Fostering an asylum-seeking child: Louise and Michael's life-changing story
When Louise and Michael began fostering with Compass Fostering in 2023, they could never have imagined how profoundly their first long-term placement would impact their lives.
The couple welcomed a young man from Afghanistan – an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child who had endured an extraordinary journey to reach safety in the UK. Separated from his sisters along the way and with no contact with his parents, he arrived in England alone, carrying with him the weight of loss, resilience, and hope for a new beginning.
For Louise, who had spent 25 years in education as a teacher and later a Head Teacher, fostering felt like a natural next step.
“I’d always wanted to foster, but during my teaching years I just didn’t have the time,” she explained. “When I moved into a new role, it finally felt like the right moment.”
Together with her husband, Michael, a Mechanical Engineer, they decided to open their home and their hearts to a young person in need.
Although they hadn’t specifically planned to foster an asylum-seeking child, when Compass Fostering suggested the match, they embraced the opportunity.
“We’ve always been open-minded and accepting of different backgrounds, so we thought, let’s give it a go,” said Michael. “It turned out to be the best decision we’ve ever made. He fitted into our family so well.”
The young man brought with him a rich cultural heritage, which quickly became a source of joy in the household. He introduced them to Afghan traditions, shared stories from his homeland, and even cooked family meals during Ramadan.
“He really enriched our lives,” Louise reflected. “Supporting him wasn’t just about providing care – it was about learning from him too.”
Like many foster carers, Louise and Michael faced challenges early on, from understanding cultural and religious needs to navigating the education system. But with support from Compass Fostering, they worked together to help their young person thrive. One of their proudest moments came when he achieved his GCSEs (including English and Maths), an incredible accomplishment for someone adapting to a new country and language.
“He had such resilience and determination,” said Louise. “It was inspiring to see him overcome so much, all while carrying the trauma of leaving his family behind.”
Looking back, both Louise and Michael agree that fostering an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child has been one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
“Do your research, take the training, and go into it with an open mind,” Louise advised. “These young people have faced unimaginable challenges, but they also bring so much culture, knowledge, and resilience. He gave as much to our family as we gave to him.”
She added: “People sometimes focus on the difficulties, but not enough on the joy. Fostering has enriched our lives in ways we never expected.”