Tamara’s fostering journey began with a one-day-old baby placed in her care straight from the hospital. Initially, adoption was not in her plan, but as she shared, “We just fell in love with her and couldn’t let her go.” Currently undergoing the adoption assessment process, Tamara hopes the child will officially become her daughter in March 2025.

We asked Tamara where her passion for working with children comes from:

“I just love young children. It is an amazing feeling when you can help someone vulnerable, bring a little constancy and security to their life, and watch them bloom in your care.”

Although fostering may have to end once the adoption is completed in Spring 2025, Tamara was committed to finding a new role where she could continue her passion for supporting young children.

Skills Bootcamps offer a flexible solution for those wanting to upskill and fit their studies around their existing personal commitments.

When enrolling on the Skills Bootcamp with Realise, learners can choose whether they prefer to join study sessions in the morning, evening or afternoon on weekdays or weekends, meaning learning can take place when it suits them best.

As a busy foster carer, Tamara chose to study online over 6 weeks and found that this worked best for her.

After completion of the Skills Bootcamp, learners are supported to find employment in an early years setting with the help of a Career Coach at Realise. Career Coaches can provide expert 121 support on CV writing, interview tips and further skills development.

Thanks to our extensive network of early years providers across England, Realise can support learners in finding employment opportunities in their local area. We can help take care of it all, from finding the job vacancy to booking an interview with a local nursery.

Tamara’s Career Coach Neil also played a crucial role in her success. She recalled one pivotal moment:

“One afternoon, Neil phoned me about a job opportunity in my city. He helped me arrange an interview, where I was successful and can start work on the 3rd of December at The Childcare Academy in Liverpool!”