Do you want to join a foster care network? If yes, you must know these 10 things about foster care to join a foster care network.
Fostering a child is a very noble deed and an important role you can play for the larger good of your community. It is also a very rewarding experience. You will be opening your doors to a stranger and when it is time to say goodbye, you will be bidding adieu to a new member of the family. If you are considering becoming a foster carer, here are ten things you need to know about foster care and how you can help somebody find a foothold in life.
10 Things to Know If You Want to Join a Foster Care Network
1. Children go into care from very young ages to the time they are teenagers for various reasons
In the UK, around 80% of all children taken into care are living in foster homes. That leaves thousands more who are not able to get foster accommodation.
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2. Many of the children have faced abuse or neglect in their homes
In many cases, parents are drug abusers or involved in crime. Many times, even blood relations are not available or ready to take the children in, and even if they do, they are not able to provide the necessary facilities for a safe upbringing.
3. Some children are taken into care
If parents are too sick to take care of the children. The children can end up living weeks and months in neglect, having to fend for themselves.
4. Those who do not get foster carers are put in children’s homes
Despite the best efforts of the overburdened fostering system, these homes leave residents vulnerable to further bullying and abuse.
5. Problems associated with children in care include behavioral and health complications
Children who have faced trauma and constant upheaval lack certain social skills and lag behind in academics. Low confidence is another trait noticed in children who have gone into care. Nutrition is another important requirement for a growing child. When living in neglect, children suffer from malnutrition and this has serious implications in their daily life and development.
6. There are no strict parameters for becoming a foster carer
If you are an adult with an extra room in your home, you can consider applying. There are certain red flags or extreme cases where one cannot become a foster parent. Someone with a serious criminal record or individuals facing bankruptcy cannot take up this responsibility. These rules are in place to ensure that the child is not transferred to a dangerous or vulnerable environment.
7. The fostering network will conduct many sessions and checks to determine your health and financial status
You need to be physically fit enough to be able to take care of the kid. Besides that, you should be financially sound enough to be able to maintain a positive, secure, and comfortable home environment.
8. As a foster caregiver, you will be entitled to funds for your ward and compensation for your services
This figure is calculated based on each child that you are caring for, as well as what their needs are, their age, and similar details.
9. Becoming a foster carer will include a lot of training and communication with experts
Some of the issues you may face with your ward are behavioral in nature. Let us not forget that many of these children have been moved constantly and have experienced high levels of trauma. Some will go into a shell or some will show signs of defensiveness.
The foster network will help you gain crucial interpersonal skills that will help ease the child into your home and build a positive relationship with his or her new environment. You will be part of foster caregiving workshops. And you will have access to a host of resources to prepare you for your new role. During the fostering period, you will be facing unique scenarios. In such cases, there will be a helpline that you can reach out to.
10. As a foster carer, you also have to option to change your agency if you feel that you are not getting the support that you need
Different agencies have their own methods of appraisal, assistance, and compensation. Some organizations have a better presence in specific locations so that can be a factor too if you want to change your agency. The procedure is a common and streamlined one, to ensure that all stakeholders are comfortable and there is no interruption in the fostering process.
As a foster carer, you will be allowing a young human to find a secure environment and learn the tools to develop as any other child would. It will be the beginning of a precious relationship that may last a lifetime and it also comes with its incentives for your personal and financial growth.
So, these were the 10 useful things about the foster care network. Hope it will work for you to join a foster care network.