Foster Carer Emphasizes Role’s Similarity to Parenthood Amid Urgent Call for More Families

A foster parent described the experience as “feels like being any other kind of parent” and encouraged additional individuals to welcome children into their homes. Across the nation, there is a decline in applications to become foster carers, alongside an increase in those discontinuing the role, even as the population of children requiring care grows. Joeanne, who has provided care for children through Wiltshire Council for seven years, expressed a desire for more individuals to contribute to reversing these prevailing patterns. She stated, “For somebody who is thinking about doing it, I think just go and do it. It enriches your life, the children’s life.” Joeanne, whose previous work involved education for children in care, commented: “It feels like being any other kind of parent. “I thoroughly enjoy having the children in my life. I not only bring something to their life but they also bring a lot to my life. “My life is very different to how it used to be because I used to work a lot, now I get to enjoy spending time with the children and helping them with their homework. “It just feels like a family.”” In February, The Fostering Foundation reported a requirement for 6,000 additional foster families in England, attributing this need to an increase in the population of children in care. The organization indicated that escalating expenses and shifts in career paths following the pandemic contributed to this deficit. Peter Hutton, who manages the children’s safeguarding portfolio at Wiltshire Council, asserted that placement within a foster family, as opposed to institutional care, yields superior outcomes for children, society, and their prospects. He stated, “They recognise the family structure they’ve received. And if they decide to have a family they can put that into their young children. “It stops this continuing circle of fostering, coming in and out of caring. One of the things we’re always mindful of is a safe and stable placement. “That’s the key to it. We don’t want to place people unnecessarily into places that are not suitable.”” For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.