AS the coronavirus pandemic continues to negatively impact many industries across the UK, a foster dad from Middlesbrough is calling on others to consider a career change.

With UK unemployment rising, and the number of people claiming work-related benefits rising by 1.5 million since the start of the pandemic in March, Rasub Afzal, who left his job as a taxi driver to become a foster carer, thinks it could be a viable career option for many others facing job uncertainty in the area.

With the taxi trade being one of many industries suffering as a result of Covid-19, and more children and young people in a need of a loving and safe home every day, Rasub believes fostering can provide the job security and stability that many people are looking for in current times.

Rasub, 54, from North Ormesby, worked as a taxi driver for more than 20 years but in 2015, he decided to leave his job to be able to foster full-time alongside his wife Shameen, 54, who works part-time in the kitchen at a local primary school.

Parents to three grown up children of their own and grandparents to two, Rasub and Shameen have always had a busy household. It was after their children had grown up that the couple first thought about fostering as a career option.

The couple’s first foster placement was then five-year-old Sohail (name changed to protect the identity of the child in care), a boy with medical and additional learning needs, who is still with the family today and will stay with the Afzals until he’s at least 18.

After transferring from another fostering agency earlier this year, Rasub now fosters with Five Rivers Child Care, an independent fostering provider and social enterprise with offices in Thornaby and foster carers across the North East.

Rasub said: “I had a long run at being a taxi driver and the flexibility of it suited us as a family, despite the unsociable hours. But once our children had grown up, I wanted a change and realised that fostering would allow me to help those in need as well have a secure job.”

The taxi trade is reported to be one of the industries worst affected by the ongoing pandemic, with 82,000 taxi drivers recently reporting a 95 per cent slump in income since the lockdown began and with the new tier system and further, tighter restrictions in many areas like Middlesbrough, this slump seems set to continue.

Rasub said: “None of us could have predicted the negative impact that the coronavirus has had on jobs and industries across the UK. Fostering is not a standard nine to five, but the flexibility and certainty it offers is something I’m very grateful for and it has allowed me to spend more time than I ever have at home with my family.

"Working as a driver I would be out of the house a lot of the day and would often work nights. My role as a foster carer still requires my attention around the clock, especially because of Sohail’s needs, but knowing I’m making a difference to his life is a very rewarding feeling.”

Now ten-years-old, Sohail requires 24/7 supervision and care.

Rasub said: “When we first met this little boy, we knew he was going to be a challenge. I asked myself, if I didn’t help him, then who would?

"I was aware that children with disabilities and special educational needs were often the children that other foster carers might be more nervous to take on, so I knew this little boy needed me.”

Although he had plenty of experience bringing up his own children, Rasub had not had any previous experience of looking after a child with special educational needs.

Since joining Five Rivers Child Care, Rasub has received valuable training and support for understanding how best to help Sohail.

Rasub said: “I changed fostering providers because I needed to have the best support system for him, now I get lots of training and assistance on how to help children who have been impacted by traumatic events like Sohail.

“Doing this was the best decision I’ve ever made and Sohail has changed my life for the better. I believe it was destiny for this boy to come to us, as much as I’ve done for him, he’s done more for me.

"Because we’re together round the clock, everyone who knows me, knows that wherever I go, Sohail will be with me.

“People may not realise they can make a difference. I’m now a foster dad to someone I can’t imagine life without. I’ve never thought of this as a job, it’s not a chore but it is my duty to look after him because he needs me.

"Whether you’ve looked after children of your own before or your new to it, you might have talent that you don’t even realise but could make a huge difference to a young person’s life.”

Susan Smith, Fostering Team Manager at Five Rivers Child Care for the North East, said: “Rasub has done an amazing job at taking those skills he already had and using them to help a child who really needed a loving and safe home. Although he didn’t have experience of caring for someone with additional needs, Rasub has adapted really well and has made use of all the training available to help him.

"Although being a foster carer expands beyond a traditional nine to five job, making a positive impact to a child’s life can be extremely rewarding.

“The coronavirus pandemic has affected many industries across the UK, and the impact the virus has had on the taxi trade in particular can clearly be seen across the North East. We’d like to encourage caring individuals who may be facing redundancy or a change in their job situation because of the pandemic, to consider how rewarding fostering can be.

"Fostering offers flexible working, a competitive fostering allowance, the comfort of working from home and job security due to the constant demand for carers. We’re keen to hear from people from all backgrounds across Middlesbrough who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy supporting others, as well as anyone who has questions about fostering and the variety of roles available.”

People from all walks of life can be considered to become foster carers as long as they are over 21-years-old.

This includes single people, co-habiting couples, same sex couples and people living in rented accommodation.

You will need a spare room for each foster child.

A career in foster care offers flexible working and a competitive allowance.

For more information on foster care contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 266 0272 or visit www.five-rivers.org.