Khaqan’s Story

Khaqan’s parents started fostering when he was a teenager, and he helped them during that time. He said he enjoyed being involved - going to training, attending meetings, and getting to know the children in their care.

“I realised the children related well to me because I was a bit younger. We’d play sports and they’d tell me stuff that they probably wouldn’t tell older family members. We built up trust and friendship.”

Khaqan has now been fostering for Rotherham for five years, following in his parents’ footsteps.

He says fostering has always felt familiar 

Khaqan remembers that even before his parents began fostering, some of his school friends lived in fostering households. As a child, he enjoyed those connections and described them as “extra friends.”

Now, as a carer himself, he says fostering feels like being part of “an extended family, an extended household.”

Seeing young people grow has been one of the most rewarding parts 

Khaqan told us about a young person previously in his care who is now studying at university, and another who came into his care without close support networks and has since flourished.

He says their progress is their own - but that being a carer means helping them believe in themselves, and that is rewarding for him.

He encourages new carers to try it - even for short-term support 

Khaqan says the support he’s received from Fostering Rotherham is the best he’s experienced. He has worked with other fostering agencies in the past, “There are plenty of staff on hand to help,” he says of Fostering Rotherham, and he feels there are fewer gaps between placements too.

He encourages people to consider respite or second home fostering - looking after children in care for 1-2 days at a time.

“There will be a child that needs your help.”

Want to hear more from Khaqan? He features in our short film sharing the experiences of local foster carers.

Watch the film here