Fostering a child is a huge step and life-changing decision for any individual or family.
Newsquest is marking Foster Care Fortnight this year by celebrating the strength and resilience of those who do take that leap.
The Foster Care awareness raising campaign runs from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 28 with last year's theme #FosteringCommunities returning for a second year running.
Whether fostering has been a life-long dream or it's something that you’ve never considered before, here’s why it is a life-changing experience and one that might just be right for you.
The reasons why fostering is a life-changing experience
The ‘most varied, challenging and rewarding job’
The Fostering Network describes fostering as one of the ‘most varied, challenging and rewarding jobs’ you can do.
There is no one type of fostering either with various care options available to meet unique care needs including short term, parent and child fostering, long term and permanent situations.
Bridget, a Foster Carer with Barnardo’s, reflected on her experience: “I absolutely love it. The children I’ve had have been awesome and seeing the changes in them has been so rewarding.
“In fact rewarding doesn’t begin to describe the feeling when you witness those special moments”.
As a Foster Carer, you will be provided with training and support often called 'continued professional development' which will enhance and develop your fostering skills and knowledge.
The experience will also give you the chance to involve yourself in other aspects of fostering including helping to recruit new foster carers and running support groups.
The role is not without its challenges with each child having their own set of complex needs with the job of a foster carer being to meet them.
A unique chance to make a difference to a child’s life
Working with a team of professionals, foster carers help ensure that every child has what they need to survive by giving children and young people a stable and nurturing home when they cannot live with their birth parents.
It is 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,” the Fostering Network added.
A foster carer can also provide a child or young person with a stable home life and safe environment to focus on their education that they might be used to depending on their circumstances.
Thousands of new Foster carers are needed every year
The demand for foster carers and families is now at its highest levels ever with occupancy needed exceeding 10,000 for the first time.
Nearly 70,000 children live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK each day, according to Fostering Network.
For more information or to enquire about Barnardo's full range of fostering opportunities, visit Barnardo's website or contact 0800 0277 280.
The Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, Lynn Perry MBE, commented: “With record numbers of children in need of care and support, we urgently need more people to consider becoming foster carers.
“Fostering can provide vulnerable children with the love, care and support they so desperately need to overcome challenges and work towards a positive future. It can be incredibly rewarding and gives children the chance to have a happy childhood and a bright future.
“At Barnardo’s we welcome passionate individuals from all walks of life, and all communities. If you are over 21, have a spare room, are a UK resident and have the time and commitment to care for a child, then you could help transform their life chances.”
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