Becoming a foster carer is a positive thing to do for any community. There are close to 80,000 carers all over the UK, but the need for fostering households remains high regardless. The children that they look after need a safe space, whether that is for a short while or a longer stay, and birth parents need the help as well. Communities benefit when carers thrive, and children are supported, because everything else that is supposed to fall into place has the scaffolding to pull through. This post explores the topic more below.
High Numbers of Children Need a Foster Family
Despite the rise in carers over the last decade, there is still a noticeable gap between the provision of service and the actual need. Without foster care figures, the children that need support would have scarce options. Anyone with the right motivation, a spare bedroom, and a safe background can step into this role as long as they are aged 21 years and above.
There are, in fact, over 400 agencies to work with, including established ones like fcascotland.co.uk that provide vital training and development for anyone interested in the role. Communities benefit when people step up for important tasks such as this because the young people within those areas are given a better chance at engaging and thriving too.
Successful Fostering Pathways Make a Major Difference
There are many associated advantages for children who are offered a stable environment as they grow up. When a child goes into care, the reasons behind that decision include anything from removing them from an unstable environment because of substance use, to ensuring they are kept safe from other types of abuse within their home.
To have the opportunity of entering a safer home with trained carers who work hard to look after and support them is phenomenal. Not only does it benefit them personally, but it also benefits the wider local area. There is a significantly decreased risk that they will fall victim to addiction, falling out of the education system and even becoming homeless.
Supporting Birth Parents
Anyone can fall on difficult times. It is time to move away from the stigma that birth parents who have their children removed into foster care are ‘bad people’. Sometimes, and more often than not, they just need some crucial support to get it right. When a foster carer steps up and helps out, this ripple is felt throughout the entire community. It provides breathing space for birth parents to access the support they need to re-engage and learn how to look after young people in a safer way. There are lots of cases where children are successfully reintegrated with their birth families, and using a foster carer means there is more space for family, friends, and other services to do what they need to do.
Communities benefit when foster carers step up. It is a highly rewarding calling, and it is not just the children that come to live with you that feel the warmth of what you do.
