Western Trust hits record high 712 children now in foster care

Did you know there are currently 712 children and young people living in foster care in the Western Trust area?

As this figure continues to rise year on year, the need for more foster carers is greater than ever. The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) is seeking people who have time and space in their lives to provide a safe and nurturing home to a child or young person in need.

Fostering needs are as diverse as the children themselves, from homes for younger children, siblings and teenagers, to young refugees and children with additional needs. Every child and young person deserves to live in an encouraging environment where they can develop and thrive.

There are different ways to get involved that can work with your lifestyle and family circumstances as not all foster care requires a full-time commitment. Fostering opportunities include longer-term or short-term care, short breaks, emergency care, or Supported Lodgings/STAY.

Foster carers come from a range of backgrounds, offering different skills and qualities to meet the individual needs of each child/young person. If you are a good listener, patient, understanding and caring, you already have many of the traits to make a great foster carer.

Catherine McKevitt, Head of Service for Foster Care at the Western Trust is appealing for more foster carers to bring stability, love and a home for a child in their local community. Catherine explained: “HSC NI Foster Care is urgently looking for people within the Western Trust area who want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people to consider becoming foster carers.

"We currently have the highest number of children living in care (712) that it has ever seen and there are simply not enough foster carers as numbers continue to grow. We need more foster carers so children can be placed with families where they can be safe, nurtured and loved.”

Catherine continued: “HSC NI Foster Care are hosting two dedicated child specific virtual information events next month featuring eight children from across NI who urgently need foster homes.

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"On Thursday, March 12 from 7.30pm to 9.00pm you can hear about one child (Joe aged 6 years old) who is waiting a loving home in the Western Trust area. Our dedicated Fostering Team who know Joe personally will be able to provide you with information on his personality, interest and needs.” 

There is a dedicated ‘children waiting’ page on HSC NI Foster Care’s website where you can read about these children and others in your area currently in need of stable and nurturing foster homes.

You can register for one of the events by calling 0800 0720 137 or email your details to: [email protected].

HSC NI Foster Care also host a range of online and in-person information events throughout the year across Northern Ireland. Each month they deliver two virtual drop-in information sessions, one at lunch time and one in the evening for anyone considering becoming a foster carer. These offer the perfect opportunity to discover more about the fostering experience, as well as the support and training on offer.

CLICK HERE for the full events calendar.

Enquiries and applications to foster are welcome from people from all backgrounds.

“It’s the simple, everyday things we take for granted that mean the most to the children and young people. When a child comes into your home, everything must feel strange for them as it’s a new environment... I just be there for them, listen, help them with school, and encourage them for as long as they’re with me. The rewards are amazing. The training and support from the fostering team and help from my family and friends has been invaluable.” - Yvonne, a HSC NI foster carer.

Foster carers receive ongoing training and development, fostering allowances and 24-hour social work support.