Sir, – Margaret Lee Ahane (August 4th) correctly outlines some of the challenges for foster carers. However, her reluctance to advise anyone to become a foster carer is worrying. In applying to become foster carers, individuals are indeed subject to a “level of intrusion”; they have, after all, put themselves forward for this highly valuable role in which they will provide safe, secure and loving homes for children and young people, who cannot, for whatever reason, remain with their own birth families.
As has been evidenced recently, the provision of a safe home for these children requires that there is a need for thorough checks and an assessment process that ensures that all those applying to undertake this work are suitable for task and have the ability to support and nourish these children. The need to monitor and support placements is also essential, as has been highlighted in various recent reports.
In my experience foster carers are aware of what will be required when they first apply to become foster carers. Indeed it is the duty of any fostering agency to ensure that they have this understanding. Applicants put themselves forward out of the very best of motives. People who foster are exceptional. They open their homes as members of, and on behalf of our society to children who require quality care in a family setting. What is the alternative?
There are none unless we consider group care or residential care as suitable for these children. They are not.
Foster care is the best alternative to a child’s own family. It is the duty of all agencies that support foster carers to ensure that they are supported, supervised and given training and development opportunities specific to the demands of each placement and each young person placed. If foster carers feel judged, intruded upon, undervalued or unsupported, then the challenge lies with the agency with whom they foster. The answer is not to undermine the selfless, compassionate, big-hearted and generous life choice that is fostering. – Yours, etc,