Why is Fostering Important?
“Before I met you, I couldn’t open my mouth to speak up for myself,
now I’m a strong independent girl. Thank you for saving me from a world of sadness”
Foster child, 14
Change a child’s future
People choose to become foster carers for a variety of reasons personal to them. Whatever the reasons may be, the impact of that decision on a foster child’s life is life changing for them. With over 80,000 children requiring care in the UK there is a huge demand for more fostering households.
A sense of belonging
For some, fostering is about feeling part of a supportive community of carers who want to give children and young people a better start in life.
Make a difference
By being a foster carer you can help a child or young person in countless ways, by making them feel safe, secure and valued. There is no greater joy than bringing happiness to a child, a sense of belonging and helping them to dream dreams. By nurturing a looked after child or young person, you will help them to appreciate what makes them unique and help them to aspire to a future which they may not have had.
The BIG and little things
Fostering can be about helping the child or young person make significant decisions in their life from choosing the right college to learning to ride a bike – all equally important to the child you look after.
A rewarding career choice
Fostering is a flexible and rewarding career choice that can fit in well with family life. It can mean guaranteed work and a competitive income as well as a platform for a potential future career in childcare.
Giving children the chances they deserve
Children in care have the same right to expect the outcomes wanted for all children. They should be healthy, feel safe, make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic security, and foster care offers children just that.
Education
Our Education Advisors are responsible for the tracking, monitoring and support of the educational progress and outcomes for all children and young people with Swiis. They offer one to one specialist guidance and group training to carers to develop your knowledge of the educational needs of children. The Education Advisors identify local resources to assist the children’s learning needs and support them on an individual basis to enhance their educational outcomes. They also liaise on a weekly basis with the Virtual Heads for each Local Authority regarding children’s needs and attend all planning and review meetings alongside the Supervising Social Worker.
*Swiis database, 2017.
Start Your Fostering Journey
With thousands of children coming into foster care in the UK everyday, we urgently need foster carers more than ever.
Refer a Friend
Do you know anyone who would be a fantastic foster carer who has the skills and compassion to support a child or young person in need of a loving home?
