Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, specifically about your experience in foster care?
My name is Richard Clark and I am an experienced care leaver. My journey in foster care has been an experience where I faced many challenges and barriers. Hopefully, in sharing my story and writing my blog, I get to inspire others by talking about my time as a foster child and the path I have taken since.
I was a foster child from the age of 7. My childhood was very unsettled; my education was poor and I rarely attended school. As a child going into the fostering system, I naturally had a lot of concerns, feeling many of the same emotions and fears that other care leavers may also encounter. There have been moments in my life where my foster home was not a place that I would call 'home' and I often had to face serious change. However, I know the care I received was often warm and welcoming.
What was your school experience like while you grew up in foster care?
I attended school on a daily basis, but it was a strange and difficult time for me because I found myself often being behind in my educational level compared to other kids in my age group. Overall, my experience in primary and secondary education was emotional as well as challenging.
Did your experience of education change when you made the switch to college?
For me, attending college was a very positive experience as I found I had a lot more support, so I felt I could express myself in a safe space and reach out to staff about my worries and troubles about being a care leaver. The staff at my college were so helpful, I remember they explained different coping methods to me that I still use today.
How do you think growing up in foster care shaped you as a person?
Growing up as an individual in foster care meant that I could take charge of the decisions I made through the support of the positive role models around me. I could step out of my comfort zone and put myself in situations that could help me to develop and gain my own voice - and more importantly, to make sure that voice was heard.
How did you progress onto Higher Education (a university level degree)?
My adventure didn't stop at college level. During my last years of 16-18 study, I had become ambitious and wanted to challenge myself further. In doing so, I had gone through Further Education (college level) to work towards Higher Education.
I started my Higher Education journey by doing a Foundation Degree in Policing and Criminal Justice Studies. However, during the summer, I changed my course to a BA (Hons) Top-Up degree in Children and Young People.
What made you decide to change your course?
The reason I changed my course was because I felt like my purpose in life was something other than Policing, something that I felt my background and life experiences had better prepared me for: helping support other young people who grew up in similar situations to me. I knew that I had a lot of experience and knowledge to give within my new degree, and it was a very personal decision because I knew I wanted to inspire other care leavers like myself to achieve, succeed and thrive in whatever pathway they chose in life.
What did you do after you finished your degree course?
Once I had gained my postgraduate diploma in Childhood and Youth Studies, I was able to progress onto studying for a PGCE (a postgraduate teaching qualification). I decided to study a PGCE because I aim to inspire learners of all ages to chase after new skills, experiences and knowledge in any areas of interest that they wish to grow and develop.
What do you find rewarding about your PGCE?
I find it rewarding to see the progress my learners and making through my way of teaching. I also love giving my learners the motivation they need to achieve their potential. As I mentioned, my education experience was unsettled, so it took me quite a long time to find the support I needed to thrive in a learning environment. I aspire to give all my learners the best opportunities and the most positive, comfortable learning environment I can. Above all, I aim to use the courses I teach to inspire other care leavers to reach up and go beyond any expectations they themselves or others have, because it is all worth it in the end for all the doors education can open up for you.
What have you done outside of your studies to support your learners?
In 2018, I had the opportunity to push myself into doing a volunteering position, which meant moving to Uganda for a short time. Before I left for Africa, I had to engage with planning and organising fundraising opportunities and tackling many obstacles that came with that, all of which I knew would challenge my character and cause me to grow as a person. The experiences I had in Uganda were truly unforgettable and they ultimately were what inspired me to go down a teaching pathway. The friendships I made out there shaped me in ways I never expected, and my exposure to the lives of my students gave me a greater understanding of culture, education and overcoming challenges and barriers in all their forms.
What are you doing now?
I am currently a Mental Health Support Worker. In my job, I support young people to gain confidence in themselves and to overcome the challenges they face by presenting them with opportunities and pathways into education, employment and becoming a positive force for change by contributing to the local community.
What are your top 5 tips for other care leavers?
Going from Further Education into Higher Education can seem like an anxious and overwhelming experience - believe me, I know. These feelings can be especially profound moving into Higher Education, so I can only offer this advice:
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Choose a course that will give you positive experiences
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Never be afraid to take a risk - the college will give you support and guidance when deciding your next steps
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Have confidence in yourself - you've already overcome barriers and challenges to get where you are, so you can tackle any obstacles you face
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Never be afraid to ask questions
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Use all the resources available to you.