THE crucial role of foster carers is in the spotlight for the UK’s biggest annual awareness-raising campaign for fostering.
Foster Care Fortnight runs from 11-24 May, and as part of the campaign, Leicester City Council is encouraging people in the city to consider becoming foster carers.
This year’s theme shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering, raising awareness of the profound impact foster carers have on children’s lives. Called ‘This is Fostering’, it celebrates the skills, commitment and love that foster carers show, often in incredibly challenging circumstances.
There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ foster carer - Leicester’s fostering families are from all walks of life. Sue, Suzie and Naieem are a mother, daughter and son-in-law who have fostered as a family for more than 30 years.
Sue started fostering with her late husband when Suzie was just eight. Suzie said: “I grew up in an open house where friends and neighbours were always welcome, so new children coming in just felt natural.”
Now an adult, Suzie and husband Naieem have two children of their own and also foster alongside Sue. Sue and Suzie worked together to keep a sibling group of four together, with two living with Sue, and two with Suzie and Naieem, just 10 minutes away. Suzie said: “It worked perfectly. We all spend so much time together, so they’ve grown up as a family even if they had bedrooms in different houses.”
Sue, Suzie and Naieem’s story is just one example of how fostering can define a family. You can read their full story here.
Assistant city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, said: “There are many incredible families like Sue, Suzie and Naieem’s across Leicester, but we urgently need more foster carers.
“Nationwide, there is a shortage of fostering households, leaving too many children without the local homes they need. Without local carers, children can end up in foster homes outside of their local authority area, far away from everything they know – family, friends, schools and clubs.
“Foster carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people. They support children with their education, their physical and emotional wellbeing, and help them to rebuild trust and confidence. I’d like to thank all our wonderful foster carers in Leicester for the crucial role that they play in young people’s lives.”
Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Foster carers are not only parents - providing warmth, stability and a place to call home – they are also highly skilled. They juggle many roles: educators, mediators, advocates and organisers, with a deep knowledge of children’s best interests.
“However, many foster carers are leaving, while the number of children entering care is on the rise. We urgently need more people to step forward so every child can have the right home for their needs.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ foster carer. Foster carers and kinship carers come from different backgrounds, and are different ages, genders, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
“It’s this diversity that brings the fostering community together to help children feel safe, supported and able to thrive. This Foster Care Fortnight, take a moment to find out more about fostering and whether it might be right for you.”
If you would like to learn more about fostering or are ready to take the next step, visit our fostering website where you will find more information, including real-life fostering experiences, forthcoming events and how to speak to our fostering team.
ENDS