Give Foster Carers A Gift This Christmas, Says NCH

NCH, the leading children’s charity, is highlighting the vital work of foster carers across the East Midlands who will be helping the 2,550 fostered children in the region to celebrate Christmas this year.

The charity is calling on the Government to fund a training programme for all foster carers in its “Care Matters Green Paper” to ensure they are well supported and able to care for these vulnerable children.

The “Care Matters Green Paper”, whose consultation period ends on 15 January 2007, aims to improve the lives of children in care and the role of the foster carer is central to this. Foster carers play an invaluable part in the development and welfare of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children from their educational development to their mental well-being. It is not an easy role and can present challenging situations for the foster carer. It is important that they have access to the appropriate professional support, advice and training to ensure that they can manage difficult situations.

Maureen Daley, NCH Director of Children’s Services in the Eastern region says: “Fostering a child is a huge commitment and taking a child into your home is not an easy decision. We want the Government to reward foster carers this Christmas by making a commitment to giving them the training and advice that they need so that they feel well supported. Ultimately not only will they benefit, but so will the young person in their care.”

Foster Carers with NCH Ben and Mary says: “We have been fostering for nearly two years. Fostering a child is the most rewarding experience that you can have. The help, support training and advice that we have received from the NCH fostering team has been outstanding; any problem that occurs no matter how big or small, we know that they are always on hand to help, it really is invaluable.”

NCH offers its foster carers 24 hour support, ongoing training, generous levels of payment and specific packages of care tailored to the needs of the child and their carer. NCH wants the Government to provide similar packages of support to all foster carers throughout the country. To find out more about NCH’s fostering services please contact 0845 2005162.