Brighter Fostering are proud to stand together with social workers across the world to mark World Social Work Day, which this year is on Tuesday 15 March 2022.
World Social Work Day is a chance to shine a light and give thanks to social workers for everything they do to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children, families and communities across the globe.
The theme of this year’s world social work day is: ´Co-building a New Eco-Social World: Leaving No One Behind´.
‘Leaving No One Behind’ makes me think of why I chose to do a social work degree. Life doesn’t always go to plan. People from all walks of life can be completely left behind by any set of circumstances. People tend to isolate themselves from the support networks that are necessary to help them heal, when things go wrong. Social workers can be that driving force, a non-judgemental friendly face to help people move through life in a meaningful way. Social work recognises and values the growth of deeper connections for individuals and provide opportunities for people to re-engage not just with themselves, but with the broader community.
Being a social worker myself, I have never felt left behind, and I know if I did, I would have a great team to support me through it. And that makes me proud to be a social worker.
The theme presents a vision and action plan to create new global values, policies and practices that develop trust, security and confidence for all people and the sustainability of the planet. World Social Work Day 2022 will be a highlight opportunity for the social work profession to engage all social work networks and the community they work within to make contributions to the values and principles which enable all people to have their dignity respected through shared futures. This platform will provide a collective voice where social workers can have a say in the world, they want to live in. I urge all social workers to become involved in this global mass movement for change.
Social work is an incredibly important and often misunderstood sector of society at large. Social workers the world over are integral in their contributions to their communities. Almost every sector of society has some semblance of social work involved within it, from hospitals to probation services, schools to voluntary organisations. We all benefit from the presence and work of social workers, and on 15th March, the world takes time out to celebrate the vast contributions of social work and social workers around the globe.
Most people who have taken the first step to becoming a foster carer do their own research as it is not a decision that is taken lightly. Having some insight into the role of a foster carer is essential.
In this blog I will explain the assessment process to assist families in making an informed decision about your next step to providing a safe, loving, and positive family environment for looked after children, where they will excel.
What is the assessment process?
Step 1: Initial enquiry When we receive your initial call, we talk through the role of a professional foster carer, application requirements, and a summary of what fostering children entails. Step 2: Initial home visit Within 7-10 working days a member of our team will meet with you in your home to complete an initial home visit. Where we will discuss fostering and how it might impact your family and lifestyle. We will use this time to gather some basic information about you and your family. Such as where you have lived and a summary of your life experiences. The main aim is for us to get a good feel for you and your home environment, and to give you an idea of life as a Foster Carer and what you can expect. During this time, you can ask any questions you may have about the process. If you decide to proceed, the next step is to complete a fostering application form. Step 3. After the initial home visit We often find that prospective Foster Carers find this part of their fostering application the most daunting. It is very natural to feel apprehensive about understanding the fostering assessment. But rest assure there really is no need. After the home visit if Brighter Fostering and your family/household are happy to proceed, you will be allocated an Assessing Social Worker who will start and complete your formal process of becoming a Foster Carer. There are two stages to this process. The first stage will be about gathering references, medical checks, police checks DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and general safety checks. The second stage involves in-depth discussions about your family history. At Brighter Fostering, we run these stages together, so we do not delay the process for foster carers. The assessment process involves 6-8 visits to your home which includes a mixture of virtual and home visits. During this process you also attend a virtual/in person training session, which we call skills to foster. Your Assessing Social Worker will gather lots of information about you including your family life, your background, history, and about current/ previous relationships. Your assessing social worker will always try and make you feel comfortable. We also ask that you provide names of referees as part of this process; and these people will be contacted in relation to your application. Once the information is put together, alongside the information you gave at the initial home visit, it forms what is known as a Form F Report. This report provides an insight into you and your family; there is not a right or wrong person that makes a Foster Carer, no-one is here to judge as everyone has had different life experiences. That is what makes people great at fostering. The best thing to do is to simply be honest! Step 4: After the Form F is completed You will have the opportunity to review your Form F before it is passed to the Brighter Fostering’s Independent Panel, who you will meet with to discuss your application. The assessing social worker will work through the process with you and explore questions the panel may want to discuss. After this, you will find out whether the panel will be recommending approval. The fostering panel approve all new applicants and will review your fostering journey annually. Final point The assessment process is not just about completing forms and training, it also places a spotlight on your life. This should enable you to draw on your own lived experiences and give you an understanding of your core skills and strengths to benefit the children that will come into your care. As you may expect, the fostering assessment process involves an in-depth analysis; but this should not make you feel anxious. For many, it is the fear of not knowing what happens during an assessment that they find daunting. The aim of this blog is to help potential foster carers feel at ease when their own assessment approaches, by outlining how the foster care assessment works in detail. The journey through the assessment process can be enlightening!
Two-thirds of councils in England have a shortage of black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) foster carers, according to BBC analysis of official figures.
A fostering expert said this meant many children were growing up without a full sense of their identity.
Shaz, 18, who was cared for by non-Muslims, told the BBC: “I felt like I didn’t belong and I had to be white.”
Children’s minister Michelle Donelan said: “I’m extremely concerned… I think we’re letting down children.”
The BBC has analysed figures from Ofsted, which has data from 146 of the 153 local authorities that provide fostering services in England.
As of 31 March 2019 there were 54,870 children in foster care in England – 76% were white, 23% were BAME.
The analysis found 99 authorities – 68% of the 146 – had a shortage or undersupply of foster carers from a BAME background.
Authorities were deemed to have an undersupply when the gap between the percentage of carers and percentage of foster children who were BAME was bigger than five, and they had at least 15 children in foster care.ADVERTISEMENT
Until he turned 18 last year, Shaz, a British Muslim of Pakistani heritage from Bradford, had been in care for four years, spending his time in three different care homes.
He was never placed with a Muslim foster family and many of his care staff were white.
“It was weird because, being Muslim, I eat halal meat and I go to the mosque and stuff like that, but then when I transitioned into being in care they didn’t know what that meant.
“In quite a lot of circumstances they would give me pork and stuff but then I wouldn’t eat it and I would explain to them I wasn’t going to eat it but then I would get into arguments and it was like ‘you can’t force feed me’.
“It felt like there was something wrong with me, something wrong with the colour I was. I felt like I didn’t belong and I had to be white.
“In an ideal situation I would have liked to have been fostered by an Asian family because they would be more understanding and open-minded and they would know what to do.”
‘Extremely concerned’
Ms Donelan, who was appointed as temporary children’s minister in September, said: “I think that’s extremely upsetting and I’d love to meet him to hear personally about his own experience and how we can ensure that doesn’t happen again in the future.
“I’m extremely concerned about it because I think we’re letting down children and that’s why we’re making sure that we give a focus to adoption and fostering in general as well, because I don’t want any child going without a loving home and without that permanence and security that all the research shows gives them the best opportunity in life.
“It’s really important to a child that they have some understanding of their roots and their culture and their own identity for their personal development.”
Image caption,Foster carer Sagheer Hussain said non-Muslim carers would often call him for advice about religious or dietary issues
Sagheer Hussain and Fatima Gora, from Bradford, have been fostering children for 16 years and have cared for children from many different backgrounds.
Mr Hussain said: “We live in a multi-cultural society and there’s a lot more kids from ethnic backgrounds coming into care.
“We get a lot of phone calls from a lot of carers, white carers, and they’ll say ‘we’ve got this child in care, how we meet their needs, what do we need to do for Eid or what do we need to do for their diet?’.
“If there were more carers from BAME backgrounds they’d be able to meet these needs.”
Image caption,The need to provide a safe environment can sometimes mean the child’s other needs are ignored, said fostering charity Coram BAAF
Fostering charity Coram BAAF told the BBC that often when a child came into care the priority was to provide them with a safe place and sometimes their other needs were ignored.
Dr John Simmons, director of policy and research at Coram BAAF, said: “Sometimes something which is so fundamental seems so easily to slip off the agenda, as other more fundamental issues, is there a placement, is there a bed for this child overnight rather than our duty and responsibility to make sure that child actually develops a settled sense of who they are.
“The child’s ethnicity and faith are fundamental to who the child will become and to ignore all of that really does put the child at significant risk about developing a secure sense of who they are.”
Many people tell us that foster care is something that they may have thought about for awhile. Maybe you know someone who was a foster parent or foster child? Maybe you saw something on TV or an ad in the newspaper? Maybe you saw a post on the internet? Maybe you just thought it sounded like something interesting to do?
When we meet with prospective foster parents, we share with them information on what foster care is, who the children are, what the requirements to become a foster parent, and how to start the process. Equally important is answering the question, “Why should I become a foster parent?”
The answer to that question is different for each person, of course, but over our years of experience we have found that the most successful foster parents often mention some common reasons:
I care about children and want to help them. Children and youth in the foster care system have been abused, neglected, abandoned, and face tremendous obstacles. Foster parenting is a powerful way to lift up the heads of children and youth, and show them that there is hope for the future.
I am kind and loving but can be firm when it’s required. While a lot of love is a nice thing to provide, foster parents also must have good parenting and communication skills. Being patient, consistent and following through on rules and expectations are all important.
I think I did a good job as a parent and know how to work with children. I’d like to use my skills to help other children. Having parenting experience is helpful. This may provide a foundation in parenting a foster child who may have experienced abuse, trauma, and separation. Every child is different, and a good parent is able to learn from their experiences and address the individual needs of each child.
I didn’t have children. By being a foster parent I can share my home and give my time and attention to a worthwhile cause. Everyone has to start sometime. Children do not come with an instruction manual. Being open to learn parenting skills with the guidance and support of experienced caseworkers will give a person the tools to be an effective parent.
As a foster parent, I realize my job is to make this child feel comfortable and accepted in my home. I know that someday the child may leave and that’s okay. The first goal for a foster child is to feel safe in a warm, nurturing environment that is able to provide for their physical needs. As these basic needs are met, a child is able to advance to forming attachments and expressing affection. They learn to communicate their needs using appropriate words and actions. Finally, the child displays a healthy sense of self-esteem, form connections with others, and develop future goals. When a child leaves a home, whether after a few months or a few years, saying goodbye is never easy. Some foster parents feel comfort knowing a family has been successfully reunited and you played a part in it. Other families hope that their involvement with the child will plant a seed that takes root and will grow within the child, producing amazing results in years to come.
I feel the need to give back and want to share my experiences, time, and good fortune with a child. A person may have had their own challenges in life- losing a parent, dealing with a family member’s addiction, or experiencing abuse. The resilient person has had the strength and support to overcome these situations and wants to use that knowledge to help others. Other people may never have faced these difficulties and feel a sense of gratitude. A person may also feel altruistic (whether through culture or faith) and want to help those in need.
I don’t feel done parenting. The energy, joy, and excitement of children can be contagious. As an adult, it can be fun to spend the day outdoors at the park or reading a child her favorite book for the fiftieth time. Grandparents appreciate the time they have with the grandchildren, partly because they feel experienced. Children can have a special, and more open relationship, with a grandparent where they feel comfortable sharing deeper feelings and thoughts.
I want to have a positive impact on a child and our community. Foster parenting goes beyond helping an individual child. Foster parents help fight the problems of homelessness, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, poverty. While caring for foster children, foster parents give a child’s birth parents the chance to receive the necessary help to overcome problems that may have led to the removal of the children from their home. Foster parents can also be role models to birth parents on better ways of parenting the children.
I enjoy a challenge. Each child has their own unique needs and challenges. You’ll also get to work with many different people, from caseworkers, therapists, doctors, and school personnel. No two days will be exactly alike.
There are not enough homes for older children and sibling groups. The bond between a brother and sister is one of the longest relationships a person has in life. It can be a heart-breaking struggle in finding homes for sibling groups of three or more. When siblings cannot be placed together, a child has to deal with the additional separation of being away from parents and brother or sister. Another challenge is finding homes for older children. Adolescence can be a trying time when youth are seeking independence. However, these teens are also hurting, having experienced abuse and betrayal. They are looking for someone to be committed to them and help them succeed.
We’re sure there are other good reasons to become a foster parent. We’d love to meet with you to talk about how you can join us in our mission to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities.
Foster parenting may be the most challenging job you’ll ever have, but it can be the most rewarding one as well.
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