Single men across Greater Manchester are being urged to sign up as foster carers and shape the lives of the region’s homeless teenagers.
There is a national shortage of 10,000 carers in the UK, while single men, young couples, and ethnic minority carers are significantly under-represented.
Foster Care Fortnight, which begins today, is organised across the UK by the Fostering Network, who are urging single men to ‘Get in the Frame’ this year.
James Foyle, the organisation’s recruitment and retention consultant, believes there are thousands of people who would make excellent carers, but do not fully understand fostering.
“A lot of people don’t realise who can foster,” he told MM.
“It doesn’t matter your sexuality, it doesn’t matter if you’re in a couple, if you’re in your own home or if your rent – if you are single, the message is that you can foster.
“We’ve done some work in the past on men who foster and it is an under-represented group – I think 75% of people who foster are female.
“It’s something we really encourage men to come into and offer the support and those particular skills and qualities they have. A male presence can really add value to a child in foster care.”
John*, who has been a single, male carer for Tameside Fostering service for the past 23 years, would highly recommend the experience to those considering it.
“I get a lot out of fostering, seeing the young people blossom and develop their self-confidence,” he said.
“The biggest satisfaction I get is from seeing them smile and achieving. They keep me young at heart due to their humour.
“Young people need someone to give them a chance. You have to be patient and have perseverance and stick with the young person through difficult times, as the rewards outweigh the difficulties.”
John took on a young teenager in need of a home at his joinery shop and moved him into the flat above the shop when he was 17.
And the experience taught him more than he had ever expected about young people and how to connect with them.
He added: “Over the years he worked for me and I learnt how to understand young men and get them to open up and tell me things when they were ready.”
Tameside council is encouraging people to attend a series of helpful and informative events over the next two weeks to discover more about fostering.
And Councillor Allison Gwynne, executive member for children and families, insists the challenge is worth the rewards.
“There’s no doubt that being a parent to a teenager is one of the hardest things you can do, but we will provide the support and training that foster carers need,” she said.
“If you’re enthusiastic and have the skills and aptitude to parent teenagers through to adulthood we’d love to hear from you.”
To find out more about fostering visit www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering
*Name altered to protect identity of the source
Picture courtesy of FromColleteWithLove, with thanks.
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