Fostering: Families encouraged to consider fostering

Empty nest syndrome is used to describe a feeling of loneliness, sadness and loss of purpose that some parents experience when their child moves out of home.

According to the survey, by Five Rivers Child Care, 61,000 learners have moved out of home for university since September, and it would take just two per cent of those students’ parents to meet the current shortfall of carers.

The number of children entering the care system continues to rise with an estimated 1,340 foster homes currently needed across the South East region, both on a short or long term basis.

Five Rivers Child Care is a fostering provider and social enterprise with foster carers across Sussex.

Martin Leitch, head of fostering at Five Rivers Child Care, said: “We’re appealing to those parents across Sussex who have children who have moved away to university to ask if they’d consider caring for a child in need of a safe and loving home. With 60 per cent of parents surveyed agreeing that the pandemic has increased their feelings about having an empty nest, we hope that people will see this as an opportunity not only to change a child’s life, but could also provide them with a new sense of purpose. Fostering is also beneficial to those who want to work from home and don’t want to be restricted by a nine to five schedule.”

There are a number of fostering roles available that vary in terms of length of commitment.

These include short-term or short break foster carers, which can apply to an overnight stay or a period of a few weeks or months for when children or young people require time away from their birth families or existing care support. There is emergency foster carers these help bridge the gap between foster placements or reunification with friends, family or returning home.

And there is a need for long-term foster carers who can provide comfort and stability to children and young adults who are unable to live with their families. Depending on individual circumstances, children and young adults can remain with long-term carers until the age of 18 or when they are able to live independently.

Martin said: “While potential long-term foster carers are crucial to supporting the thousands of children in care across the UK, the industry is underpinned by those offering emergency and short break foster care, whether it’s to cover a foster family over a weekend or to care for a child in an emergency situation in the middle of the night.

“We’re keen to hear from people with space in their home and their hearts who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy supporting others, as well as anyone who has questions about fostering and the variety of roles available.”

Foster carers must be aged over 21, but can be single people, co-habiting couples, LGBTQ+ couples and people living in rented accommodation. You will need a spare room for each foster child.

For more information: 01722 626 271, [email protected] or www.five-rivers.org