Write a commentThe Southern Trust recently held an Intensive Support Fostering Recruitment and Information Evening in Portadown.
With a rise in the number of children coming into care in Northern Ireland, the Trust is urging more caring people to come forward who are interested in becoming foster carers.
There are different types of fostering dependent on the needs of the young person and the Trust would be interested in speaking to any individuals or couples who believe they could offer a placement to a child or young person.
The public event took place on Wednesday 27 February 2019. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with carers, meet social workers and learn more about the Intensive Support Scheme.
Melanie Coffey Co-ordinator for the Intensive Support Scheme explained:
“The Scheme provides highly supported foster care placements to children and young people (up to 18 years old) who have had difficult life experiences and require them to be nurtured and cared for in an extra special way.
“Some of these young people will be out of school, have little experience of routine in their lives and may feel rejected and unhappy, often finding it hard to trust adults and presenting with challenging behaviour. With this in mind, we are committed to providing a therapeutic parenting experience to all children and young people as we aim to recruit empathic, flexible, open-minded and resilient individuals.”
Colm McCafferty Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting within the Southern Trust said:
“The information evening has provided an excellent insight regarding fostering and the very real and positive contribution it makes to the lives of children, carers and the community. Promotions of this nature are intended to encourage members of the public who have made the effort to come along this evening to find out more about fostering to consider making themselves available to care for children in a foster carer capacity.
“Time and again we see how, with support and encouragement, a child’s confidence can be increased, helping them to achieve in education, employment and community participation and work towards reaching their full potential.
“I hope some people may be encouraged to give fostering a try. I would like to assure them that we, like all the Trusts, are dedicated to supporting and training foster carers in fulfilling their role.
“The vast majority of children in care live with foster carers. However, there is an ongoing shortage of all types of foster placements, including long and short term placements, respite placements, and placements for children with disabilities.
“Being a foster care does not necessarily require a full time commitment. There are a wide range of children who need looked after for varying amounts of time.”
If you are interested in finding out more about Fostering/ Intensive Support Fostering Scheme:
E-mail fostering&adoption@southerntrust.hscni.net Tel: 028 3833 7181 Visit www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net
The Southern Trust welcomes enquiries irrespective of age, race, religion, relationship status, employment status, language, culture, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
