I was interested to come into contact with The Fostering Network recently in Harlow - and I learnt quite a bit about fostering in the UK. A number of aspects of the meeting really stuck in my mind.
First, there was not enough proper support for youngsters who reach young adulthood and finish with foster care and second, the hurdles that Foster Parents face when looking after their children. For example, I was told that Foster Parents had to get permission from the 'authorities' before permission was given to a child to go on a school trip. Often, by the time the permission had been sought and granted, the school trip had long gone. Similarly, if Foster parents wanted medical treatment for their charges, they also had to go through similar hoops.
Foster Parents do a vitally important job, in looking after children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Surely we should be making their parental efforts easier rather than tying them up in bureaucracy. A recent survey showed that 61% of Foster Carers took on their responsibilities, in order to help the most vulnerable children.
We also need to make sure that post-foster care, young adults have the support and mentoring they need, so that they have a level playing field when it comes to life opportunities. I look forward to meeting some Harlow Foster Parents in the near future.
First, there was not enough proper support for youngsters who reach young adulthood and finish with foster care and second, the hurdles that Foster Parents face when looking after their children. For example, I was told that Foster Parents had to get permission from the 'authorities' before permission was given to a child to go on a school trip. Often, by the time the permission had been sought and granted, the school trip had long gone. Similarly, if Foster parents wanted medical treatment for their charges, they also had to go through similar hoops.
Foster Parents do a vitally important job, in looking after children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Surely we should be making their parental efforts easier rather than tying them up in bureaucracy. A recent survey showed that 61% of Foster Carers took on their responsibilities, in order to help the most vulnerable children.
We also need to make sure that post-foster care, young adults have the support and mentoring they need, so that they have a level playing field when it comes to life opportunities. I look forward to meeting some Harlow Foster Parents in the near future.
P.S. As an aside, you may want to read THIS report from the Centre for Social Justice about Children in Care. There are some alarming statistics.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment