NW fosterers urgently needed

AN unemployed single mother who fosters children in the Western Trust area has urged people in Londonderry not to rule themselves out of providing care just because of their personal circumstances.
Fosterers are urgently needed in the Western Trust.Fosterers are urgently needed in the Western Trust.
Fosterers are urgently needed in the Western Trust.

Kate is now a foster carer but hesitated for several years to take up the role simply due to the fact that she was a single female and she was unemployed.

She urged others not to make the same mistake, saying: “Please do not rule yourself out before you have even made the call to enquire first. Remember there are no set rules for fostering; just the potential of making a difference in a child’s life, regardless of their age or background.

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“If you have considered fostering, make the phone call and ask because your local Trust needs you right now!”

Kate continued: “My overall experience to date has been successful. They are all good kids and due to circumstances beyond their control have come into care, they want and deserve to simply feel loved, safe, stable and secure.

“My role as their foster carer is to listen, hear, support, care for them, value and encourage self-worth in themselves, and help teach positive life skills and choices for the future. Each and every day I achieve this a little bit more with them.”

There are currently 1,916 children and young people living with HSC foster carers across NI, of which 315 are living in the Western Trust area. Trusts want to find the right foster home for each child, first time round. A shortage of foster carers may result in children and young people living with foster carers outside their local area, having to travel significant distances to school, being far away from their family and friends, and sometimes split from their siblings. If you are interested in fostering a series of information events are being organised in the local area.

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The seminars will run from 7.30pm to 9pm in Da Vinci’s Hotel in Londonderry on Tuesday, May 14; in the Drummond Hotel in Ballykelly on Thursday, May 16; in Dungiven Castle on Tuesday, May 21; and in the Fir Trees in Strabane on Thursday, May 23.

Pat Armstrong, Western Trust Head of Fostering said: “Foster carers and kinship carers provide children who cannot live with their own families with alternative care where they can benefit from a loving, safe and stable home. Some of these children require care for a short time, others need nurturing homes until they reach independence.”

Mr Armstrong continued: “There is a particular need for more foster carers who could offer children long term/ permanent homes. These carers are committed to guiding vulnerable children through their teenage years, helping them build resilience and confidence for the years ahead. In particular the Western Trust are looking for foster carers who have an interest in parenting teenagers to develop the Trust’s ‘Teen Scheme.’”

For more information contact Dympna Brogan, Recruitment Team Manager, Western Trust by Telephone: 71314244 or 8283 5264 or email: [email protected] or visit www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net

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