Foster families have added their voices to a call for more people to become foster carers as the number of children in care continues to rise.
A new Barnardo’s survey of the charity’s foster carers revealed 7 in 10 would recommend fostering to others.
Nearly half (49.06 per cent) intend to continue welcoming children into their families for as long as they are able. Additionally, nearly one in five (17.74 per cent) intend to do so for at least another six years.
The survey also found that more than 8 in 10 (83.57 per cent) foster carers say they do so because they want to make a difference to the lives of children in care, with one respondent explaining the joy of ‘seeing the children blossom’.
The rewarding nature of fostering is echoed by Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption Ambassador Lydia Bright, who is expecting her first child. She said:
“Fostering has many benefits, not just for the foster children themselves but the whole foster family.
“We’ve been so lucky to have so many foster siblings while we have been growing up. As well as being great fun, it taught us a lot about making friends and how to be kind to others.
“I truly can say that it’s been a wonderful experience and I hope many families across the UK will consider finding out more from Barnardo’s about how they can help.”
Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption Ambassador, Debbie Douglas, said:
“Going into care can be really frightening which is why it’s so important that foster carers are there to give love, support and stability to a child during such a difficult time.
“As a foster mum, I find it so rewarding to see what a positive difference having a happy, loving family to come home to makes to the life of a vulnerable child.
“With the number of children in care going up again, it’s vital that more people come forward so that families can be there for children when they need one.”
With yet another annual rise in the number of children in care in England to 78,150 children*, and with fewer fostering places available for children to be placed in**, Barnardo’s is urgently calling for more people to find out about becoming a foster carer during the charity’s Fostering Week.
Gloucestershire couple Francine, 63, and Stephen Burns, 64, have been Barnardo’s foster carers for nearly ten years. Their first placement with the charity was a young boy. He only stayed for a week, as an emergency placement, but it was such a positive experience that he returned soon afterwards and has stayed with the Burns family ever since.
Francine said: “We hit it off immediately and were delighted when he returned. He always behaved impeccably. All he wanted was some stability in his life, to feel settled.
“It’s like he’s our own son. We’re introduced as his mum and dad, and he refers to our relatives as his aunts, uncles and cousins. He’s not treated differently to anyone else – because he’s part of the family.
“We joke that we’re looking after him at the moment but one day maybe he’ll be looking after us.
“The two biggest things you need to become a foster carer are patience and love – if you can provide that, then everything else will fall into place. You also need to understand that what a child may have been through in the past may affect their behaviour today, you need good communication skills, and you need the courage to ask for help if you need it – the support from Barnardo’s was incredible.
“Our only regret is that we wish we’d done it earlier.”
Chief Executive of Barnardo’s Javed Khan said:
“Fostering changes children’s lives. Foster carers give children the care, love and hope they need to recover from past trauma and achieve a positive future.
“Barnardo’s has more than 100 years of experience finding families for vulnerable children. We support our foster carers throughout the process with training, opportunities to connect with others, and advice at the end of the phone.
“We urge anyone interested in becoming a foster carer to get in touch.”
Children and Families Minister Michelle Donelan added:
“Too many children are in need of a secure, loving home and this government is making it a priority to find them a family that fits their needs. If you can provide a child with the greatest gift of all – love and support – then I urge you to consider becoming a foster parent.
“We need foster parents with a range of experiences and backgrounds, and support is there from the word go for anyone who takes the valuable step of opening their home to a child in care.”
Barnardo’s welcomes foster carers from all walks of life. To become a foster carer, all you need is to be aged 21 or over, have a spare bedroom and the time and commitment to care for a child or young person.