Reflecting on 20 Years of Fostering: An Interview with Rupert Bolger
Date published
30 January 2025
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Reflecting on 20 Years of Fostering: An Interview with Rupert Bolger
To say Rupert Bolger is busy is an understatement. As a Director of Blue Sky Fostering, he works tirelessly, balancing big decisions with the small yet significant moments that shape the culture of the agency. But here’s the paradox: despite his demanding role, he always has time—to listen to a staff member who needs support, to hear out a foster carer seeking change, or to celebrate the successes of a young person in care.
As Blue Sky Fostering marks its 20th anniversary this year, Rupert reflects on two decades of fostering. Recounting the agency’s humble beginnings, to the countless lives of young people that have been transformed, it's evident that Rupert's passion and commitment remains as strong now as it was twenty years ago.
It can be difficult to explain to people outside of Blue Sky Fostering how focused we all are to make a difference for children and young people. Rupert recognises he is just one team member out of lots of staff and foster carers: but he speaks for us all when he describes his unwavering drive to giving young people and children in foster care a brigter future.
Category
Fostering stories
Topics
- In person
- Advice
- Support
- Social Worker
Date published
30 January 2025
A Leap of Faith
Rupert’s journey with Blue Sky Fostering began with a risk. “I’m not someone that generally takes a risk,” he admitted. “I’m quite a safe person in life.” However, the opportunity to be part of something new, something that aligned with his values, was too important to pass up.
“When we started, my previous manager from the Local Authority told me, ‘You'll be judged by your first young people. If they don’t work out, we won’t be using you.’ That was quite scary,” Rupert reflected. But what drove him forward was a belief in the ethos of Blue Sky Fostering and its mission to create a nurturing environment for children and young people.
Greenhouse, Not Warehouse
For Rupert, one of the philosophies behind Blue Sky Fostering has been the idea of ‘greenhouse care.’ Rupert explained, “There are two kinds of foster carers: ‘warehouse carers,’ who foster a child, move on, foster another, move on and ‘greenhouse carers,’ who provide long-lasting stability, helping young people to put down roots and flourish.”
Creating the right matches between children and foster carers has been essential to achieving this. Over the past 20 years, Blue Sky has remained dedicated to ensuring children are placed in homes where they can grow, feel secure, and develop a sense of belonging.
Moments That Matter
For Rupert, the greatest rewards come in the smallest, most unexpected moments. “A foster carer sent me a picture the other day. Their young person had really wanted a T-Rex outfit for Christmas, so they got an inflatable T-Rex costume. He walked around town showing it off, absolutely beaming. The carer sent me a picture saying, ‘This made his day.’ Those little moments are why we do what we do.”
Another touching story involved a young person in hospital, holding hands with his brother. “His carer sent me that picture,” Rupert said, “and it reminded me that fostering is not just about providing a home—it’s about building relationships, creating families, and giving young people the love and stability they need.”
A Legacy of Love and Commitment
One of Rupert’s proudest achievements is the longevity of relationships built within Blue Sky Fostering. “We have foster carers who’ve been with us for ten years or more, our ‘Decade Club,’” he explains with pride. “One of my best memories is of a young person who was placed with a foster family when I was their social worker. Years later, he’s still part of that family. He doesn’t live with them anymore, but he remains deeply connected. That’s what fostering is about—not just placements, but lifelong relationships.”
As he reflected on two decades of dedication, Rupert’s passion appeared unwavering. “I’m still the same person I was when I walked through the door. My title may have changed, but my values haven’t. I’m a social worker at heart. I want to make a difference for our carers, our young people, and our colleagues.”
"My title may have changed, but my values haven’t. I’m a social worker at heart. I want to make a difference for our carers, our young people, and our colleagues.”
Through every challenge and triumph, Blue Sky Fostering continues to provide life-changing support to children and foster carers alike.
Are you interested in fostering?
If Rupert’s reflections have inspired you, why not take the first step? Blue Sky Fostering is always looking for passionate individuals to join our fostering community. Get in touch today and start your journey towards making a difference in a child’s life.
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