Faith in fostering
Action for Children Fostering believes that faith groups teach the importance of love, kindness and compassion. In particular, when dealing with children and young people.
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The love and nurture that foster carers give to the young people in their care makes them extra special as they’re caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
It’s widely believed among faith groups that our life and good deeds here on Earth prepare us for a better afterlife. If you think you could do an amazingly good deed by looking after a vulnerable young person in your home, then we’d love to hear from you. All you need is an open heart and a spare room to change a child’s life for the better.
Attending a place of worship and being part of a larger community group can have many benefits for young people. The community spirit and activities that many faith groups offer can provide additional support to fostering families and may include fun days out as well as having other people and faith group leaders to talk to and share their experiences.
Read Colin and Marie’s story
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Action for Children Fostering welcomes potential foster carers from all religious and cultural groups. The young people we need to find safe and loving homes for are as diverse as the multicultural society that we live in.
We have a rigorous matching system when choosing which foster carers would fit best with the child or young person who needs a safe and loving home. Wherever possible, young people are matched with carers who have a similar cultural identity, values and beliefs.
Children who have a strong identity know who they are and will become confident adults later in life. We understand that children in care can really struggle with their identity and that it's vitally important that they’re supported to feel confident in their beliefs, culture and who they are.
Read Shopna's story
Young people in need of a foster home have often experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. They may have come from somewhere without values, beliefs or a religion to follow.
Encouraging them to learn about the faith of their foster carer can be beneficial as well as learning about other different religions, cultures and traditions.
This could be done in a very simple way, such as holding a ‘faith night’; exploring the various traditions associated with that faith, including prayer, food, clothing, dress, music etc. This would be a really positive way of promoting tolerance, diversity and cultural awareness with your young person.
The young person must be open to this and must be allowed to choose their own path and their own identity. The views of their carers must not be forced upon them.
Want to know more about fostering with us? Request your free guide to fostering today.
Religious communities can often feel like an extension of the family and provide support for the whole family.
Fostering can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for everyone involved. There are many benefits to fostering, not only for the foster children themselves, but also for any foster siblings, foster carers and the wider friends, family and community.
A religious community that embraces faith in fostering and supports a fostering family can also share in those rewarding experiences.
Watching a young person grow in confidence and help them achieve their potential is life enhancing and something to be extremely proud of.
Help us spread the word about the desperate shortage of foster carers across the UK and how faith can be hugely beneficial to vulnerable young people.
As an Action for Children foster carer you’ll receive professional support, training and guidance throughout your fostering journey. We take care of you so that you can take care of your young person.
A qualified social worker will always be at the other end of the phone if you need advice or support 24/7, all year round. We also develop with you a tailored training plan that includes a therapeutic parenting course to ensure that you’re fully equipped to manage any situation that may arise.
Want to know more about fostering with us? Request your free guide to fostering today.
We want you to know that you can afford to care for a young person in your home. Action for Children foster carers typically receive, on average, £555 per week in fees and allowances. This depends on the type of foster care you provide, your location and the age and needs of the young person in your care.
There are lots of different types of foster care that you could do. As well as long term, full commitment fostering, there are foster carers who provide planned breaks for other foster carers, usually just one weekend a month. This may be something you would consider alongside your full-time job. We can help you decide which type works best for you.
Want to know more about fostering with us? Request your free guide to fostering today.
Action for Children has been supporting vulnerable children since 1869. Our organisation was founded by the Reverend Dr Thomas Bowman Stephenson, who was a Methodist minister from the North East of England.
Can I take my foster child to my place of worship or a faith celebration?
Yes. Providing this is something the young person wants to do themselves. If not, then there would be an expectation for arrangements to be made to care for the child e.g. for them to stay with another family member.
Would I have to forego attending my faith service if it clashed with an activity my foster child was involved in?
No. As you long as you have another family member who can take your foster child to the activity, then you can attend the service. The overarching ethos is that the young person’s needs take priority. If there is no-one else or if it is not appropriate to ask someone to take your foster child to their activity, then you would need to forego your service on that occasion.
Do I need to provide special foods according to my foster child’s beliefs?
Yes. The young person’s needs and wishes take priority. For example, if the young person follows the Muslim faith and only eats halal meat then their foster carers would be expected to support this, along with promoting other areas of culture such as clothing and religious holidays/festivals.
This is to ensure that the young person is supported in being able to form their own sense of personal identity. Wherever possible Action for Children Fostering will match a young person with carers who have a similar cultural identity, values and beliefs.
Can I include my foster child in my religious beliefs and practices?
Yes. Promoting diversity and cultural awareness to a young person can be beneficial and enhance their understanding of the differences in society. It is imperative though, that the young person in question is willing and happy to be involved. Foster carers must not force their beliefs and practices onto a foster child who does not want them.
Can I choose to foster a child of the same faith as me?
Yes. We understand that there are carers who would find it difficult to support a young person of a different faith, for any number of reasons, including their lack of understanding of what this might entail. There will also be young people who specifically need or want carers from a particular culture or faith and is why we welcome potential foster carers from all religious and cultural backgrounds.
Do I need to get permission from anyone to take my foster child to a religious service?
No. Unless you’ve been made aware by the local authority, birth parents or fostering agency that the young person’s religious beliefs or faith need to be supported in a specific way, then you can invite your young person to attend a service with you. The choice is theirs and if they say no then you must not force them to go with you. The young person’s wishes, above all, takes precedence.
Is support readily available for foster carers to ask questions regarding faith in fostering?
Yes. Your designated social worker is always available to answer any questions you may have. Ultimately, the full implications of culture, faith and religious practices would be explored by your social worker during your foster carer assessment. As part of this, any necessary support needed by you, or the young person, would be clearly identified so that there is a clear understanding from the outset.
Does Action for Children Fostering make a profit from fostering services?
No. Action for Children Fostering is a charity and does not profit from fostering services.
