From Teaching to Fostering: Paul’s Career Journey

Paul spent 20 years working in local government but eventually felt he could no longer make the difference he wanted. “I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall,” he explains. “If you don’t look forward to Mondays anymore, you know it’s time to make a decision”.

At 40, Paul retrained as a teacher, something he had dreamed of since his school days. Teaching College students in Leeds, he found huge joy in guiding young people through that tricky stage between school and adulthood. “The best part was helping them realise what they could achieve,” Paul says.

Paul and his wife, Sarah, first supported young people leaving care through the local authority. But when they joined Compass, their journey as foster carers truly began. Since 2022, they have cared for a sibling group of four: their first and only placement. It hasn’t been without challenges, particularly helping the second-to-eldest learn to let go of responsibilities he had taken on too young. But with patience and love, Paul and Sarah have watched the children grow into confident individuals who know they are safe and valued.

Now, as a carer representative in his region, Paul supports fellow foster carers too. His advice is clear:

Reflecting on his own journey, Paul adds, “I’d definitely choose Compass again. The support we’ve had has been fantastic”.