A decade of dedication- Debbie and Mehrez's fostering journey

A decade of dedication- Debbie and Mehrez's fostering journey

For Debbie and her husband Mehrez, fostering has been a decade-long journey of compassion, perseverance, and unconditional care. The couple, who have recently been awarded their 10 years of fostering award with Nexus Fostering, were first inspired by Debbie’s brother. Having seen the difference fostering could make, it was only a matter of time before Debbie and Mehrez opened their own home to children in need.

With a strong background in care, Debbie brought a wealth of personal experience to her fostering role. As a mother to two grown-up daughters, one of whom has a genetic skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa (EB), Debbie has spent her life advocating for and supporting those closest to her. Her grow-up daughters encouraged Debbie to become a foster carer.

“One of the biggest challenges in fostering,” Debbie shared, “is receiving referrals with very limited information. It can be difficult to know if you’re the right person to meet that child’s needs. It’s important to read in between the lines and gather as much information as possible.”

Despite the uncertainty, Debbie and Mehrez welcomed two young brothers, aged 3 and 7. The youngest had global developmental delay and was still in nappies, while the eldest had taken on a parental role from a very young age. That dynamic made the transition into foster care especially complex.

“The eldest struggled to let go of being the carer,” Debbie recalls. “He rebelled in his own way. The early years were really difficult, especially with the youngest having epilepsy. During seizures, the eldest would act out. We had everything from soiling to flooded kitchens.”

After three years, Debbie had to make the incredibly difficult decision to prioritise her own health and could no longer continue caring for the eldest. He moved to another foster family and later into residential care, where he’s now preparing to move into supported living as an adult. “We still see him every week. He’s doing really well, and we’re so proud of him.” Her grow-up daughters encouraged Debbie to become a foster carer.

Debbie said “My daughter calls him her little brother; we meet up regularly. He’s deeply woven into our family life.”

The younger sibling remained with Debbie and Mehrez and is now 13 years old. “He’s been with us so long, he’s part of the family. I see him as one of ours. Of course, adolescence brings new challenges, but he’s thriving.” Recognising the complexities of his needs, his complex placement with Nexus Fostering includes additional support, weekly hours with a support worker and monthly respite care with another carer.

“He sees it as a little weekend away, he loves it. It also gives us a chance to rest and recharge.” Watching the young boy grow over the past 10 years has been one of the greatest rewards of fostering for the couple.

“He came to us shy and frail, and now he’s a confident, happy young man. He loves his school, has lots of friends, and is really coming into his own.”

Getting him into the right educational setting wasn’t easy. After struggling in mainstream school, Debbie and Mehrez advocated fiercely for a more suitable placement.

“We fought for the school he’s in now. It’s made such a difference, he’s come on in leaps and bounds.”

Debbie credits Nexus Fostering for our ongoing support throughout the journey. “They’ve been brilliant. We’ve never felt alone.”

Family plays a central role in the boy’s life. Mehrez, originally from Tunisia, has a large extended family there. They travel two to three times a year, and their young man embraces the culture and memories they build together.

Contact with his birth family has also been a consistent part of his journey. “He sees his parents, grandparents, and siblings. Now that he’s older, we meet at places like parks or McDonald’s. I get on well with his mum now, which took time. We even took his grandma out for lunch not long ago. It was lovely.”

Debbie’s advice for prospective and current foster carers is heartfelt and practical. “Don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for help. Build a strong support network. As you grow in confidence, you’ll find your voice. And when reading referrals, ask questions, make sure you can meet the child’s needs. From day one, we promised ourselves we’d do our absolute best for every child who came into our lives, no matter what.”

Inspired by Debbie and Mehrez’s story? If their fostering journey has sparked something in you, We would love to hear from you. Whether you're ready to take the first step or just exploring the idea, Nexus Fostering is here to help. Call us on 0800 389 0143 or enquire here.

You’re also warmly invited to our monthly Fostering Information drop in's: Visit our office, Nexus Fostering Unit 26, Eldon Road Business Park, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 6DZ. Join others, meet the local team, ask questions, and discover how you could change a child’s life, and your own.