A looming shortage of foster carers across the UK is due to ignorance over what it involves, claims a survey by a Manchester-based fostering agency.
More than 1,000 mothers on the Netmums website were asked what they knew about fostering by Modus Fostering Partnership, which supports foster families in Manchester and the North West.
The survey revealed many misconceptions that people have about fostering children – ranging from costs to who is allowed to be a foster parent.
Yoni Ejo, Modus Head of Fostering, said: “Four out of five mums who took part in the survey say they are interesting in fostering at some point in the future.
“But there’s something stopping them taking that next step. It could be because they don’t realise what they could earn or indeed who is eligible.”
The survey shows that one of the biggest misconceptions is the amount of financial funding that is available to foster carers.
More than half the mums who responded to the survey thought they would receive less than £5,000 a year for fostering a child – 16% of respondents believed they would receive no financial funding.
Nine out of 10 thought they would receive less than £15,000 a year when in reality the allowance is between £20,000 and £40,000.
Ms Ejo says that they are looking for people from all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation or relationship status, to become foster carers.
The survey showed that 43% of people mistakenly believe that single men are not allowed to foster whilst 37% thought single women were not eligible.
Ms Ejo said: “What’s important to us is that we match the child to the right foster carer or family who can provide them with a loving and caring home. We’re looking for people who can give a child a childhood.”
The survey showed there was mixed knowledge about other requirements – 90% of people knew that you must have a spare bedroom and be over 21 to foster but others falsely assumed you must own a property and have a driving licence.
Siobhan Freegard, Netmums Co-Founder, said: “Worryingly, this survey shows how little potential foster carers know and it highlights how many are being put off as they assume the process to get approved is too hard.”
She hopes that by raising awareness that more people will come forward and open their homes and heart to a child or young person in need.
MM spoke to full-time foster-mum, Mary Mactonish*, about what it is really like to look after children who for whatever reason cannot live at home with their birth-parents.
She has been welcoming young into her home for over eight years – 32 children of all ages and with varying problems from medical issues to education needs have stayed with her.
Ms Macintosh, 45, Stretford, said: “I realised I wanted to become a foster carer through my work as a trained social worker – I often worked with children but I wanted to get more hands-on.”
She says she had an initial idea about the steps to take and the vetting process through her work – for her it took about four months – but it’s about the pace you want to go.
Ms Macintosh said: “The very first time you get matched up and the child comes to stay with you it totally throws you because they are so vulnerable and many have had some form of trauma in their lives.”
She says that she is still in contact with the first person she took in eight years ago and she still speaks to several of the other children and young people she has helped.
She said: “It’s so nice to keep in touch and see them all grown-up, we have such a laugh and now they are starting to have their own children and we share experiences and I remind them of all the things they used to do.”
Fostering is no walk in the park, but she says that it is worth all the problems that sometimes happen because the experience is so rewarding.
She said: “My advice to anyone who is considering fostering is to do your research and consider how you will cope and how you can give young people all the care and support they need.”
For more information visit: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/fostering
Picture courtesy of TerriSeesThings, with thanks.
*Name changed on request of the source.
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