Opening doors to FOSTERING

Almost anyone can become a foster carer, offering support and a welcoming home to a young person. This May, Foster Care Fortnight is highlighting resources and celebrating the power of communities

From 15 to 28 May, people around the country will mark an important date in the calendar: Foster Care Fortnight. The event is a celebration of foster carers, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. The event raises awareness of the need for passionate individuals who can make a difference to the lives of children and young people.

You might be surprised by the range of people who are able to be a foster carer: you can apply if you are at least 21-years-old; have a spare bedroom big enough for a child or young person to live in; are living full-time in the UK, in your own home or with a secure rental agreement; are willing and able to care for a child or young person, sometimes on a full-time basis. You also don’t have to be in a relationship to apply. When considering becoming a foster carer you should think about your own health, home, experience with young people, and your financial security, but a disability or long-term health condition isn’t necessarily a barrier to fostering.

Communities

The impact of fostering and the support available stretches much further than the individual foster carer or foster family who are welcoming a young person into their home. Foster carers themselves, social workers, fostering-friendly employers, friends and family members are all making a difference as part of the community around a foster carer.

The year’s theme, Fostering Communities, has been extended from 2022 after a wave of positive feedback and the opportunities this presented to shine a light on fostering. Everyone who is part of the fostering process, or who supports a foster carer, can get involved in the week, sharing their experiences using #FosteringCommunities on social media, reaching out for advice from people in their community, or reading other people’s experiences online.

Information

The wealth of information that is highlighted during Foster Care Fortnight isn’t just available during these two weeks, it can be accessed year-round. The All About Fostering resource from The Fostering Network (www. allaboutfostering.org.uk) provides details and advice on the diversity of people who can foster and what skills and qualities people might bring to the table, the process of becoming a foster carer, along with a blog featuring real people’s experiences.

The website allows you to search for your local fostering service who may be able to provide more information if you are interested in starting this process. Organisations like FCA Scotland (www.fcascotland.co.uk), the National Fostering Agency (www.nfa.co.uk), Barnardo’s (www.barnardos.org.uk) and UK Fostering (www.ukfostering.org.uk) all have helpful advice for people who are considering becoming a foster carer.

If you reach out for information, there is no pressure to continue the process if you think it isn’t the right path for you, but if you decide to become a foster carer, this support will continue every step of the way.

For More Information

Discover more about Foster Care Fortnight online through The Fostering Network (www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk).

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