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Life After Teaching: Samantha’s Inspiring Journey into Fostering
For 20 years, Samantha poured her heart into education. She led safeguarding, mentored teachers, supported struggling families, and was part of a DfE-recognised teaching school, helping to raise standards across the region. From the outside, it was a career to be proud of. But inside, Samantha was running on empty.
“It was immensely stressful,” she recalls. “I was working excessive hours, my health was deteriorating, and my body was telling me ‘no more’.” Samantha had developed an autoimmune condition just two years into teaching.
The turning point came during her safeguarding work, when she arranged respite foster care for a child in her school. “I remember meeting the foster family – they were so wonderful and kind. I went back to my office and burst into tears because I wanted it to work so desperately for that little girl. That’s when I thought: That’s what I want to do”. Still, the leap felt huge:
“I’d channelled my whole life into teaching, so leaving felt terrifying. People talk about transferable skills, but it’s hard to see them in yourself when you’ve been so pigeonholed”.
After reaching burnout, Samantha took nine months out to focus on herself. During that time, she tried various roles, such as a senior civil servant. But nothing matched the hands-on approach that she knew. She began speaking to foster carers, reading and listening to podcasts about fostering.
“I wanted to understand it. There are so many myths about children in care, but behaviour is communication. If a child is struggling, that behaviour is their way of telling you what’s going on inside”.
The encouragement of her family, especially her mum, gave her the final push. “They completely believed in me and welcomed my foster daughter instantly”.
When Samantha discovered Compass Fostering, she was drawn to their REACH model, which resonated with school models she had previously worked with. With Compass’ fast-track process, she was approved within a few months and welcomed her first foster child (now a long-term match) almost two years ago.
“Having her has changed my life for the better,” Samantha says. “She’s fun, funny, resilient; my world is centred around her in the best way.”
Fostering has also given her the freedom to combine caring with self-employed consultancy work in schools, allowing her to keep a connection to education without the stress.
Samantha credits Compass’ wraparound support for helping her thrive. “From day one, I was linked with other foster carers who shared their experiences and guided me through training. My supervising social worker, Kayla, was brilliant – no question was too small. I always felt listened to and reassured”.
She’s also proud to be part of an agency that actively seeks young people’s views, supports children seeking sanctuary, and values the voices of foster carers. “It feels like Compass listens and acts on what children and carers say”.
Samantha knows her story could inspire others, especially those in the education field. “If my story can help someone move forward, out of a career that’s making them unwell, then let’s go! Fostering isn’t without its challenges, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. When you see behaviour as communication, you can truly change a child’s life”.
The names in this article have been changed to protect the privacy and identity of those involved.
