11th June 2024
No one knows more about the vital role foster carers play than foster carers themselves.
The Southern team within HSC NI Foster Care have devised a new reward scheme to encourage more people to consider fostering, given that there are currently 3,155 children and young people in foster care across Northern Ireland (DoH Children in Care Report, March 2023).
Co Armagh short break foster carers, Gareth and Natasha Irvine, knew that they had family members who had the skills and qualities to become brilliant foster carers and, after a chat with Linda-Jane (LJ) and Johnny Watt, they got in touch with HSC NI Foster Care.
“LJ and Johnny always felt they had a calling to fostering, but wanted to wait until the time was right for them and their family.
“We always spoke to them about our experiences and the training provided to reassure them they would be supported.
“We enjoy providing regular short breaks for children and young people in care in the hope we may have some positive impact on their lives.
“LJ and Johnny are both very kind, understanding people. They have a strong moral values and would be amazing role models for any child/children placed with them.
“We will be as much a part of their support network as they are currently ours, we will definitely help support each other through our fostering journey.”
Melanie Coffey, Family Placement Senior Manager with HSC NI Foster Care, said:
“Research shows that foster carers are the best people to recommend fostering to others! That’s why we’ve put together this reward scheme – to help spread the word about fostering to others who may be able to make a difference to a child in need.
“We appreciate the work our foster carers do in providing quality care to children and young people and making them welcome in their home. However when they share the rewards they experience, this has the added bonus of encouraging others to think about whether they too can be involved in these positive experiences.
“We have chosen to acknowledge this with a small reward when approved foster carers refer someone else to the service and they also become approved. We want to continue to grow our fostering community with like-minded people who are interested in making a positive contribution to the lives of others”.