Ealing woman continues 26-year family fostering legacy to help local children

Growing up in Greenford, Lidia Redhead’s home was never just for her immediate family. For more than a quarter of a century, her parents opened their doors to roughly 20 children, providing a mix of respite, short-term, and long-term care. This environment, defined by a rotating cast of about 13 foster brothers and sisters, did more than just provide a safe space for those in need; it set the trajectory for Lidia’s entire adult life.

To mark Foster Care Fortnight, running from 11–24 May, Lidia is sharing her story to highlight the profound impact that stable, local placements have on Ealing’s youth. Having witnessed children arrive with deep-seated challenges only to leave with renewed self-esteem, Lidia was inspired to become a social worker before eventually deciding to follow in her parents’ footsteps as a carer herself.

Growing up in a Greenford household of 20 foster children

Lidia describes her childhood as a rewarding experience that stripped away the misconceptions often associated with the care system. Living in a household where sibling groups of three were welcomed alongside individual placements, she saw firsthand the transformative power of consistency.

“My parents are still fostering, over 26 years now,” Lidia says. “I lived with different foster siblings, and I found it great.” She recalls the visible shift in the young people who stayed with them. Many arrived struggling with the weight of their past experiences but gradually developed a sense of hope. This observation was the catalyst for her career in social work, providing her with a professional lens on the systemic need for compassionate homes.

The journey from social worker to Ealing foster carer

In June 2019, Lidia and her partner, Rubin, decided to transition from supporters to active participants in the borough’s fostering network. Despite Lidia’s professional background, the couple underwent the full “Skills to Foster” training course provided by Ealing Council. This programme is designed to offer an unvarnished look at the realities of the role, including the complex trauma children may carry due to neglect or parental substance misuse.

For Rubin, who was new to the fostering world, the process was about testing their collective capacity to provide a stable environment. The couple found that understanding wellness and emotional resilience was key to helping children who had experienced instability. Their first placement was handled through a gradual introduction process, allowing the child to visit and spend time in their home before moving in permanently, a method Rubin credits with easing the transition for everyone involved.

Breaking the stigma surrounding teenage placements

Since they began, Lidia and Rubin have primarily focused on fostering teenagers, having cared for seven young people to date. While many prospective carers are often hesitant to take on older children, the couple views it as a unique privilege.

“A lot of people are scared of teenagers,” Lidia notes. “But when a young person lets you in and trusts you, it is such a privilege.” The bonds formed in these years often extend far beyond the formal placement period. Many of the teenagers who have stayed with them remain in close contact, returning for visits and maintaining a place within the family structure long after they have moved into independent living.

Navigating the fostering process as a single applicant in Acton

Fostering is not reserved for couples, as Elena Fitkov-Norris from Acton discovered. After her own children grew up, Elena felt a pull toward supporting others but initially felt apprehensive about the rigorous application process as a single person.

“I went to a training event and remember looking around the room. There were all these other lovely couples. I thought, ‘what am I doing? It is a big responsibility, and I am on my own,’” Elena recalls. Her perspective shifted after connecting with the wider Ealing support network, which reassured her that she was not acting in isolation.

Elena found that the presence of a foster child enriched her family’s life in unexpected ways, bringing her own children closer together. For her, the rewards are found in the small, everyday gestures—a surprise cup of tea, a text message with a photo of a personal achievement, or a simple “I love you.”

Accessing local support and information sessions

Robert South, Ealing Council’s strategic director of children’s services, emphasizes that foster carers are the backbone of the borough’s support system for vulnerable youth. To assist those considering the role, the council is hosting several outreach events throughout the community.

Residents can meet with the fostering team and current carers at the following locations between 9:00am and 5:30pm:
– Friday 15 May: Ealing Town Hall
– Saturday 16 May: Westway Cross Shopping Centre, Greenford
– Friday 22 May: Quality Foods and Iceland, Southall

These sessions provide an opportunity for prospective carers to ask technical questions about the assessment process, the financial allowances provided, and the ongoing training available to all Ealing foster families.

Source: Ealing Council