At least 200 new foster carers must be recruited across Northern Ireland during the next year alone in order to provide more children in care with the homes they need, top charity the Fostering Network is warning today at an event in Belfast (12 May).
The new figure, from a survey of all health and social care trusts, has been published to coincide with the start of the charity’s annual awareness campaign Foster Care Fortnight (12-25 May). With the strapline fostering: recognise the qualities you’ve got, the campaign aims to encourage people to realise that they may already share the same qualities as those currently fostering, and that these are the basis for becoming a foster carer.
Kate Lewis, director of the Fostering Network Northern Ireland, said: "Without these much-needed new foster carers, too many fostered children will continue to be denied stability in their home and school life, which is key to success later on.
"While almost anyone can apply to be a foster carer, like with any career, some people will be more suited to it than others. This recruitment campaign identifies the everyday qualities, which form the foundations for becoming a good foster carer.
"In particular, we’re looking for people who can offer long-term homes to children, and those who have the qualities to take on the challenges and rewards of fostering teenagers, such as patience, listening skills, understanding, energy and empathy. I hope this campaign encourages people to ask themselves if they have the qualities needed to be a foster carer, and if they think they have, to come forward and find out more."
Every fostered child should be able to live with a foster carer carefully chosen to meet his or her specific needs in terms of location, culture, lifestyle, language and even interests. The shortfall of foster carers means that children are being placed a long distance from their families, are being moved from home to home and are being split up from their brothers and sisters. The wider the pool of foster carers available, the more likely it is that a good match can be found.
Foster Care Fortnight runs from 12 to 25 May. To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit www.couldyoufoster.org.uk or contact 0800 040 7675.