Foster homes urgently needed for children aged 7 – 12

With a rise in the number of children coming into care in Northern Ireland, Health and Social Care Trusts are urging more caring people to come forward in 2013 to provide vulnerable children with foster homes.

There is particular need for more foster families across the province for children aged seven to 12, both on a short and long term basis.

All children have a right to grow up in a safe, secure and caring family where they are nurtured and developed. Foster homes are needed for those children of all ages who are unable to live with their own families, which may be a result of family breakdown, relationship difficulties, neglect, abuse or parental ill health. Therefore fostering provides children who cannot live at home with alternative care where they can benefit from a nurturing home life for as long as they need it.

A foster carer in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area commented:

“I love being a foster carer. It is very fulfilling and rewarding to help children and families who are experiencing a difficult period in their lives. It’s so pleasing to see children growing and develop into young adults; it keeps me young at heart”.

To find the right foster home for each child or young person first time round, we need to recruit and retain a wide range of foster carers to ensure children are being cared for by foster carers carefully chosen to meet their needs. A shortage of foster carers may result in these children living with foster carers outside their local area, travelling significant distances to school, being far away from their family and friends, and sometimes split from their siblings.

Foster carers may be married, co habiting or single. They may own or rent their home, work or receive benefits, and may or may not have children of their own. There is no upper age limit for foster carers as long as they are healthy and have the energy to care for a child or young person.

Applications will be considered irrespective of sexual orientation or religious / ethnic background.

Health and Social Care foster carers receive financial allowances, ongoing learning and development opportunities, and 24/7 social work support.

If you feel you could make a difference and help one child through a difficult time in their lives contact Northern Trust Recruitment and Initial Assessment Team on 0300 123 11 55 or call 0800 0720 137 or visit www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net for more information.

28th January 2013