Rise in foster carer enquiries – but need for more remains
West Sussex residents encouraged to think about fostering
FosteringservicesinSussexhave seen a rise in queries during the pandemic.
Between March 16 and November27WestSussexCounty Council had 283 enquiries for new foster carers, an 18 per cent rise on the same period last year.
During the pandemic, 17 new fostering households have been approved and are now successfully fostering a child or children.
A further 24 assessments are currently underway as a result of enquiries made during Covid.
Scott Anderson and Mark Popkiewicz live in Crawley and foster sibling boys. Their first placement came about a month after lockdown.
Mark said: “We were so nervous and excited it was untrue. Whilst approved for two childrenwehadinitiallydecided to break ourselves in gently with one,howeverthereferralcamein for two brothers who are now six and eight. On paper they seemed tobetheperfectfitforourfamily and I’m pleased to say that from the moment they came to live with us everything has fallen into place and our new family unit was formed.”
Althoughtherehasbeenarise in queries there has also been a bigriseinthenumberofchildren coming into care, so the need for people to foster has never been higher.
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity.
David Eggboro, communicationsmanageratthe Fostering Network, said: “While the total number of children looked after is higher than around the same time in 2018, referrals have dropped during the pandemic. However, with schools having been reopened and lockdown measures easing, the number of children coming into care is expected to rise. The full scope of the pandemic is not yet clear.”
BSN Social Care (bsnsocialcare.co.uk) is the parent company for independent fostering agencies Nexus Fostering, Calon Cymru FosteringandBlueSkyFostering, which has offices in Crawley and Eastbourne.
Sarah Rockett, recruitment director at BSN Social Care, said: “The impact of lockdown on vulnerable young people has been and will continue to be significant and far reaching.
“We have seen an increase alreadyinthenumbersofpeople making an online enquiry but always need more.
“People often think they are not able to foster due to living in rented accommodation or being single or having a large dog.
“WehereatBlueSkyfostering need people from all walks of lives and backgrounds to come forward and make an enquiry.”
Orange Grove Fostercare (orangegrovefostercare.co.uk), has seen a significant rise in the number of young people enquiring, with a 38 per cent increase in 25-34-year olds. However, the agency saw the biggestriseininterestfromthose aged between 35-44, receiving 31 percentmoreinterestthaninthe previous period.
Orange Grove Fostercare’s Southern Counties fostering office is based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. It supports foster carers and children across West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove.
As many individuals face uncertainty around job security, some are looking to embark on a newcareerpathleavingfostering openforconsideration.Fostering is a lengthy process but requires no prior experience, allowing individualstoupskillandretrain in a new area that will be hugely beneficialtoyoungpeople’slives.
Fostering is a way of life, it is not an immediate solution for those who are out of work, it requires training, dedication, compassion and most of all patience. Choosing fostering as a potential career path can allow individuals to work in a field where they can help make life-changing impact on young people’s futures daily. With the need of fostering families increasing every year, those equipped with the right values are being asked to consider fostering.
Visit www.westsussex.gov. uk/fostering or call on 033 022 27775 for more details.