|
Many people have the right skills to foster
|
|
Every year, thousands of vulnerable children across the country are taken into care.
Sometimes it's because of abuse or because their parents are unable to look after them, but all these youngsters really need is a safe environment to call home.
In Haringey alone, 437 children were in care by the end of March, with nearly half of those coming into care within the past year. And every one of those children needs someone to look after them.
Mrs. Ghiden and her husband from Eritrea, who have both fostered for Haringey since 2000, said: "A community leader spoke to us about fostering, however at the time our 4 children were still quite young and we didn't feel that we could commit until they were older". |
The assessment process takes approximately 6 months from the moment someone enquires about fostering. And as is the nature of fostering, several years ago 2 sisters both under 6 years old were suddenly placed under the care of Mrs. Ghiden. "The social worker came to my home with them after she had collected them from school. I knew they were coming and had been told about their situation" Mrs. Ghiden spoke about how the sisters cried from the moment they walked through the door and all through the night.
"I was so sad for them. They wanted their mummy but she was not in a position to care for them. I read them stories through the night to help them sleep. It was a very difficult time for all of us but my family knew that these little girls needed to feel secure and loved and that's what we tried to do".
Throughout her fostering experience she has received lots of support from the fostering service, "even if my social worker is not available then another social worker will help me". Mrs. Ghiden has attended many of the free training courses the council runs and has also supported new foster carers by attending preparation groups and helping them through any concerns.
The amount of time that a child will stay with a foster carer depends on the individual circumstances. Once the reason the children are in care has been sorted out they will return back home. Other children may end up being adopted or stay with long term foster carers.
Mrs. Ghiden is approved to care for up to 3 children, and is currently caring for 2 teenage boys. "One of the boys has been living with us for 3 years he has developed so much since being here.
Initially he had some behaviour problems but that's all sorted now. My whole family treat him like one of us, and I always explain to him clearly and calmly the consequences of his actions and how he has choices in life. My whole family love having the boys stay with us they are so good and are a part of this family".
Her social worker said: "Mrs. Ghiden is very much involved with all matters for the children she cares for. She will go to the school and meet with teachers, help select secondary schools and generally be there in all the ways she was for her own children. It's because of this interest and commitment to the children that they never want to leave once they get here".
Mrs. Ghiden has welcomed over 30 children in her home over the past 7 years. Some of the children that she has fostered still keep in touch. "It's important that I sit and talk nicely to the children in my home and do things with them like go shopping or do family activities. The whole family went to Southend for 3 days and we all had such a nice time".
Her advice to people thinking about fostering is, "you need to be calm and flexible and understand that these children are not bad they just have some real issues that can be sorted out with a little patience and communication".
Anyone can be a foster carer, single, married, or in a same sex relationship. If you are interested in fostering contact the Haringey Fostering Service where you can request a free information pack or speak to one of the team. For more information call 020 8489 3754 or email
fostering.adoption@haringey.gov.uk.
|
