South England
Fostering an Asylum-Seeking Child: Louise and Michael’s Story
When Louise and Michael began fostering with Compass in 2023, they didn’t expect their first long-term placement to be such a life-changing experience. The couple welcomed a young man from Afghanistan, an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child who had endured unimaginable trauma on his journey to the UK. Separated from his sisters on route and left without contact with his parents, he arrived in England alone, carrying the weight of profound loss.
For Louise, who had spent 25 years in education as a teacher and later Head Teacher, fostering felt like a natural step. “I’d always wanted to foster, but during my teaching years I just didn’t have the time,” she explained. After moving into a new role, she finally felt ready. Together with her husband, Michael, a Mechanical Engineer, the couple decided to open their home and hearts. Louise and Michael hadn’t set out to foster an asylum-seeking child specifically, but when Compass suggested a 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. He fitted into our family so well”.
The young man brought with him a rich cultural heritage, which quickly became a source of joy. He taught them about Afghan traditions, especially during Ramadan, and even cooked family meals inspired by his homeland. Louise reflected, “He really enriched our lives. Supporting him wasn’t just about providing care – it was about learning from him too”.
Like many foster carers, Louise and Michael faced challenges at first, from understanding cultural and religious needs to navigating the education system. But with support from Compass, they worked together to ensure their young person thrived. They were especially proud when he achieved his GCSEs, including English and Maths, a huge accomplishment for someone adjusting 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. Their advice for others considering this path is simple: “Do your research, take the training, and go into it with an open mind. These young people have faced unimaginable challenges, but they also bring so much with them – culture, knowledge, resilience. He gave as much to our family as we gave to him”. Louise added:
“People sometimes focus on the difficulties, but not enough on the joy. Fostering has enriched our lives in ways we never expected”.
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