AN appeal has been launched for more foster carers as the number of children needing care continues to rise.
Barnardo’s NI said there has been a 14 per cent increase in the number of children referred to the charity’s fostering service over the past year.
As it launches its 'Fostering Focus' campaign, the charity said the growing shortage of foster carers is leaving vulnerable children "without safe, stable and loving support".
Helen Browne from Barnardo’s NI said: "The number of children and young people being referred to our fostering service is undoubtedly on the rise.
"But we are also seeing an increase in the number of children who have been moved multiple times within the care system, due to the lack of available foster carers.
"One six-year-old child who was referred to us, had experienced 12 moves within 18 months and this is just unacceptable.
"It’s a vicious cycle, as with fewer carers available, children are more likely to have multiple moves, which can cause long lasting trauma and prevent them from having safe and stable homes.
"Over the last year we have also seen an increase in children with additional learning needs and some with physical disabilities, meaning that their care needs are a lot more complex."
Foster carer Alison has been fostering with her partner Liz for just over a year.
They began their fostering journey with Barnardo’s NI as short-break foster carers and have just welcomed their first full-time foster child into their home.
"Liz and I don’t have children of our own, but we’ve grown up with lots of children around us from extended family and friends," said Alison.
"Twice every month we would have a little boy come to stay with us and that gave us the opportunity to dip our toes in the water with fostering, to learn about how the system works and to gain some experience.
"For us, the short break fostering was a great way for us to see if this is something we could do long term and we’re delighted to have recently welcomed our first long term foster child into our family.
"Fostering has brought a new kind of worth and value into our lives. It’s enriched our lives. It’s taught us a lot about ourselves and our partnership, even after 20+ years."
For more information, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster/northern-ireland or call 028 9065 2288 or 0800 0277 280.?
