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about fostering...

What is Fostering?

Fostering involves looking after someone else's child in your own home for a period of time, while their parents or carers are unable to look after them. This can be for a short period; respite/short-break care or some Black Minority Ethnic (BME) children require permanent fostering, as they cannot return home. When BME children are placed for a short term, the child will usually return to their own home. Some children who are placed for adoption need a fostering placement until an adoptive home can be found for them.

In other parts of the world there is the concept of 'informal fostering' in the sense that people look after children in the family such as nieces, nephews and any other children within the family when something happens to the parents. The similarities to fostering are that you still help the child maintain the contact with their family. In the UK fostering is seen as a profession and there is provision for regular training and support from your own Social Worker, which makes it a bit easier to do this job. You are also paid an allowance for the child and with some authorities fees can be paid.

We know that a lot of people do think about whether they'll get too attached the child, but in fostering you have the chance to care, give love and security to a number of children who need your support.

Another benefit is that children also remember what you have done for them, and sometimes you can keep in touch with a child when they move on from you. One BME foster carer has said, "I did feel this way in the beginning, but now I've been fostering for nine years and I absolutely love it and find it rewarding. I've helped so many children and sometimes I see the children that I've looked after and get to find out how they're doing".

What is the difference between Fostering and Adopting?

Fostering is usually a temporary way of offering a child a home until they can go back to their own families. Adopting a child means you become their legal parents, with the same rights and responsibilities as if they were born to you. When you foster a child, for whatever length of time, you are still caring for them on behalf of the local authority. As a foster carer you would work alongside the child's Social Worker and your own Fostering Support worker and work as part of a team. In Fostering you are also paid a weekly allowance for the child.

Why do Children need Foster Care?

There are many different reasons why a child might need foster care, and there's no such thing as a typical foster child.

Children usually need looking after because of problems at home:

• Parents having problems with drugs or alcohol.
• Domestic violence in the family.
• There may have been a death, or a divorce or illness in the family.
• Family crisis, ie. parents going into Hospital.
• Children who have been physically or sexually abused and been removed from their parents by the Courts.
• Relationship difficulties between children and parents.

Why do we need Black Minority Ethnic (BME) people to Foster Black Minority Children?

Black and Minority Ethnic children of all ages (African, Asian, African/Caribbean and children from dual heritage backgrounds) need to be raised in black minority ethnic families wherever possible.

The child needs to be in an environment where they can value all aspects of their heritage. It is important that the children are placed within the families where they speak the same language and have the same type of food as their own family as this is part of their culture. Children are used to home surroundings and would benefit from continuity of culture, language and religion.

It is important for any child to grow up feeling they 'fit' within their family and the wider community. It is also important that the BME children have positive role models in the environment so they can look up to adults and feel confident about their own heritage and culture.

It is important for all children to be placed within the same religious background. So they can celebrate their religious festivals and their dietary and other needs are being met. There is a national shortage of Black Minority Ethnic Foster Carers and regionally there are a number of children who are not placed within the families where their religious and cultural needs are fully met. If you feel you are able to fulfill the needs of BME children then please contact us and we will provide you with more information.

Ages of Children?

There are younger children from babies upwards who need to be looked after, however as many children in foster care are over the age of 11, we welcome applications from people who are keen to work with older children and teenagers. Additional training and support is given to care for this group which foster carers' say is challenging but very rewarding.

Do children keep in contact with their families?

The majority of children do maintain some level of contact with their birth parents and siblings. Of course each child's situation and circumstances are individual to that child. When children are being looked after for a short term only, contact with their family is important, as the child needs to know who the long term caregiver/parents will be, so they can return to them comfortably. Each child will have an individual plan for contact. Support from your own Social Worker will be available to you with the important job of helping the child to keep in touch with their family. In Fostering you are not on your own you have a Social Worker to help and guide you.

Will I get paid?

Yes. An allowance is paid to cover the costs of looking after the child. In some authorities there are paid schemes, which recognize the good job that foster carers do. You can find out more information about the fees and allowances payable if you request an application pack from the local authority in your area.

Fostering sibling Groups?

We always welcome applications from people who would be prepared to consider sibling groups. Sometimes it is necessary for brothers and sisters of the same family to be looked after at the same time. It is usually better for the children to remain together and continue to live as a family.

What happens to the children after fostering?

This depends on the reason the children need looking after. Most children return home, but if family problems cannot be sorted out they may remain with foster carers for many months or even years. Some children can never return to their own families and then adoption is considered. In these cases foster carers have a vital role to play in helping the child settle into their new adoptive family.

Who can become a foster carer?

We are very keen to recruit Black and Minority Ethnic families from a range of diverse backgrounds, who can meet the cultural and religious needs of BME children who are looked after.

People can be either:

• Married or couples in partnerships.
• Single, divorced or widowed.
• Without Children (having some experience of children) or with children.
• Householders or tenants.
• Employed or unemployed.
• Religious or not.
• People from any ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Almost anyone can apply to become a foster carer and most people have something to offer. People who have committed certain criminal offences (violence or offences against children, for example) will obviously not be considered.

Some people may rule themselves out of fostering, thinking they do not have the right background or experience. The fact is all sorts of people can foster, and there are very few practical restrictions.

You can be married or unmarried, single, divorced, or widowed. You can be male or female, of any ethnic origin, employed or unemployed. You can foster if you have children of your own, or not. It doesn't matter if you own your own home or live in rented accommodation, as long as you have a separate bedroom for a child. The important thing is that you have a caring and patient nature and the willingness to learn about the job you'll be undertaking.

What age do I have to be to become a Foster carer?

In England and Wales the minimum age at which you can adopt is 21, but there is no upper limit. Factors such as your overall health and fitness will be taken into account.

Do I have to be a parent?

Not necessarily so. You must however, have been used to caring for children in some capacity, whether as a relative or in paid work such as youth work, childminding etc.

Do I have to be married?

No - you can be a couple living together but you must have lived together for a minimum of 3 years. You could also be considered if you are single.

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If you would like to receive further information regarding our adoption or fostering services please contact us on 0191 4212346 or if you prefer why not email us