Page 49 - Issue 112 May-June 2021

Fostering About the author Dominic Stevenson is Foster Care Fortnight Coordinator for leading UK-wide charity, The Fostering Network. thefosteringnetwork.org.uk @fosteringnet @thefosteringnetwork Over 65,000 children live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK each day. This is nearly 80 per cent of the 83,000 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK. “A unique chance to make a real difference to a child’s life” emergency, short and long term, short break, support care, and many more, and each foster carer works with their fostering service to choose what is right for them and their family. Stewart has been a foster carer for more than 15 years, and he said: “It’s really rewarding when you see a day-by-day improvement in a child. You see them build up self-esteem and come out of their shell. Then you know you are really making a difference.” In addition to practical support, all foster carers receive an allowance to cover the cost of looking after a fostered child. Some also receive a fee for the work that they do. Throughout their fostering career, foster carers can take advantage of continued professional development. In addition, a range of roles is available within many fostering services, such as helping with recruitment of new foster carers or running support groups. ■ Fostering makes a huge difference to children’s lives. ■ It could be you. Making a difference A wider pool of foster carers is needed right across the UK, so children can live with a family in their local area wherever possible. It’s important that children live with families that are a good “match” for them, in terms of location, culture, lifestyle, language, and interests. More foster carers are currently needed to offer homes to teenagers, disabled children and sibling groups. Foster carers have a unique chance to make a real difference to a child’s life, supporting them and working to help them develop and achieve their potential. Marcia, who has been a foster carer for more than 10 years, explained why she made the choice to foster: “I became a foster carer because I believe that you should always give something back to your community. The biggest rewards come when the children I have looked after achieve what they should.” Could 2021 be the year you change your own life, and the lives of children in your local community, by deciding to begin your fostering journey? Find your local fostering service today, and get started: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/providers 49 senmagazine.co.uk SEN112