'Bearded biker' encourages others to foster

A self-proclaimed "bearded biker" has said he wants to challenge perceptions about who can be a foster carer.

"I'm not your average foster parent, because I have a beard, love motorbikes and used to be a security guard," said Tim Jarvis, 48.

He and his wife Claire, 37, have been fostering with a private fostering agency that supports children and foster families in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Some worry that while private agencies generally provide a valuable service, they charge thousands of pounds per week for their services, which can put a strain on local authority budgets.

In November, foster carers on the books at Worcestershire County Council were awarded a 7% pay rise in a bid to reduce reliance on care homes and private firms.

Jarvis, has been fostering with FCA West Midlands for 12 years and said he wanted to encourage others not to write themselves off as foster parents because they did not fit a stereotype.

Foster carers were "one of the most diverse groups of people you can imagine," he said.

"We didn't have any children of our own before fostering either. My first child was a foster child, and she was a bridesmaid at our wedding and even came on our 'family moon'.

"We had a 10-year plan to foster, then move to Spain and live happily ever after."

Now, 12 years on, the couple have a biological son, have adopted one of the children they fostered and are currently fostering a teenager.

They even converted their garage a few years ago to make more space for children and teenagers who need a loving home.

He added that he and his wife were originally only interested in fostering teenagers because they were able to be more independent.

"That all changed one afternoon, when we got a phone call about a baby," he said, and eventually they ended up adopting her.

"They were like 'We've got a baby. It's an emergency. Can you have her?' And I immediately said, 'Yes, of course we can' because how can you say no?

"I don't look like a typical foster parent, and when our most recent foster daughter arrived she was definitely a bit intimidated by me, she even told me that. But now we know each other and she's just part of the family."

Each year, about 39,000 children enter the care system, according to foster company the FCA, but there is a shortfall of more than 6,000 foster parents to care for them.

Jarvis urged those who had room in their home to come forward and help bridge the gap.

"Yes, it can be challenging, and you've got to be open-minded, but it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I love it, and if I get the chance to do it again in a second life, I will.

"It might be for you, it might not. But unless you do it, you won't know."

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