Plymouth City Council is celebrating Sons and Daughters Month, the Fostering Network’s annual campaign to recognise the vital contribution the children of foster carers make to foster care.
The sons and daughters of foster carers are an integral part of a fostering household and for most of them, their relationships with fostered children has many positive aspects. They gain companionship, friendship and a sense of self-worth in sharing their homes and themselves with children who need them.
Some of our now adult children of foster carers say that being part of a fostering household has helped them understand how for some children, their start in life has been very different and less fortunate than their own.
Jack and Lewis’ parents foster for Plymouth City Council, they said: “We love being part of a fostering family. We have loved being part of watching young people grow and still feel appreciated by the ones that have left us but still call them our foster brothers and sisters.”
Councillor Dave Downie Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Skills and Education said: “The sons and daughters of our foster carers really are unsung heroes and we want each and every young person who is part of a fostering family to know just how important they are.
“It can be a challenge to share both their parents, and home with children they don’t know so it is heart-warming when we regularly hear from foster carers that their sons and daughters look upon the children who are fostered as part of the family.
“On behalf of everyone at Plymouth City Council I would like to personally thank all the young people in our fostering households for the contribution they make in supporting the children in our care.”
There are currently 502 children and young people in care in Plymouth and there is an ongoing campaign to recruit more foster carers.
When a child cannot be cared for by their birth parent(s), the Council’s first priority is for them to be looked after by a local authority foster carer, as they often live in the area near to a child’s family, friends and school so it is less disruptive for a child.
Fostering is a way to make a really positive difference to a child's life, providing children and young people with a stability, a loving home and the support and encouragement they need to flourish and achieve.
training and support is given to foster carers, who are matched to one or more of the different foster care schemes, depending on what suits their lifestyles and commitments. Carers are paid an allowance which reflects the real cost of looking after a child.
Anyone who would like to learn more about fostering can contact the Council’s Fostering Recruitment Team on 01752 308762 or visit www.fosterforplymouth.co.uk.