There is a shortfall of foster carers in the UK today. Of the 78,000-plus children in care, some 70% already live with foster families, but many more would benefit if more families were available.
This short guide to what fostering is about explains that all sorts of people can become foster carers because children and young people have such a wide range of needs. Fostering agencies welcome people who are single, married, divorced, co-habiting, gay or lesbian - so long as they are able to respond to the needs of children. Carers don't need to have children of their own, but do need experience and understanding of caring for children in either a professional or personal capacity.
This book will answer many initial questions about fostering and help those interested understand more about this extremely important and demanding task. It covers issues such as:
the sorts of children needing to be fostered and how they feel about coming into care
how people become foster carers - selection, training, getting started
how to settle a child into your home and dealing with problems
what happens when a child can't go home
the law, regulations and requirements
fees and allowances
working as part of the fostering team
the rewards of fostering
finding a fostering agency
Many of these issues are illustrated by the experiences of real foster carers who speak openly about the difficulties and challenges as well as the rewards and high points of the task. There are also quotes from young people who speak about their experiences of being in foster care and what they need from foster carers.
Fostering a Child includes a full list of fostering agencies throughout the UK. Potential fosterers wishing to take the next step can approach any agency in their area in the first instance. There are also suggestions for other useful organisations and books that may also be helpful.
Similar in style to BAAF's best-selling Adopting a Child, this new book provides a user-friendly, general guide to fostering in the UK which will be an ideal starting point for anyone considering becoming a foster carer.
