Dispelling some common myths about foster care will be the main focus of a drop-in session organised by Fostering First next week. The session is on Monday January 25 from 5pm to 7pm at Bourne House, 97 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, and anyone interested in fostering is welcome to attend without an appointment.

Anita Traynor, Fostering Lead at Fostering First, says that many individuals or couples who could make great foster carers are sometimes deterred by myths about eligibility. She said: “It’s quite common to hear people say that they are too old or too young to be a foster carer, or that they can’t foster because they don’t own their own home, or because of a host of other reasons. The fact is that fostering is open to people from a wide variety of backgrounds. For example, carers must be over 21 but there is no upper age limit – and it doesn’t matter to us whether a carer owns their own home or is a tenant in rented accommodation. What we do need to know is that they can provide a safe and stable environment for a child. Some potential foster carers think that they simply can’t afford the extra expense of caring for a child or children – but they may not be aware that we provide financial remuneration to cover these expenses, and a fee for the foster carer. Dispelling myths about fostering will be the main theme of the drop-in session. It’s all very informal and we welcome anyone who has an interest in caring for children – and many people who attend thinking that there might be a barrier to them becoming a foster carer could find out that there’s no reason why they can’t provide a loving home for a child who has had a tough start in life. ”

Fostering First has a ‘Mythbusters’ leaflet which will be available at the drop-in session – it includes a range of details about eligibility criteria for carers. Leaflets are also available detailing the comprehensive range of support which Fostering First providers for carers during their training and right through their careers as foster carers. Some carers already have children of their own, and some don’t – but in either scenario what matters most is that they are caring and understanding, and possess the ability and desire to develop the skills needed to help a child develop and reach their full potential. Marital status is not a barrier to becoming a foster carer – it does not matter whether carers are single, married, divorced or co-habiting. Sexual orientation and gender identity has no bearing on a person’s ability to provide a loving home for a child, so it’s not a barrier to becoming a foster carer. Some potential foster carers believe that they won’t be allowed to foster a child from a different ethnic or religious background. That too is a myth. Fostering First’s aim is to find loving foster families for every child in need of a happy future, even if there is not a perfect match. Ethnicity and religious beliefs are relevant, however, and a foster carer must have an understanding of the challenges which could arise from fostering a child from a different background. Being disabled does not automatically exclude anyone from becoming a foster carer. Disability is only one of the many issues that will be considered during the assessment process to determine anyone’s suitability as a foster carer.

To find out more about fostering just attend the drop-in session, phone 631947, or email fosteringfirst@thechildrenscentre.org.im. 

You can also find more information at http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/. 

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