Recommendations for seeking prospective foster parents

Antiguan-based and former foster caregiver in the UK Lisa Tomlinson has recommended that local social services and welfare divisions should offer support for prospective foster parents as the role undertaken is challenging and demanding.
“A support system is imperative for foster carers, to just give somebody a family [and] some children and say, ‘Care for them’, bearing in mind that sometimes they are the most damaged children in society, is a big ask,” she said.
“I also believe that there needs to be a good support network for foster carers so that when times get tough with the children there is somebody they can turn to for help, support and assistance,” Tomlinson added.
She also advised that the offer presented to those interested in becoming foster parents should be enhanced.
“I think they have to look very carefully at the package that they are offering foster carers and to make it look a little more enticing.”
She further explained that in the UK parents sometimes decide to give up careers to foster children and are therefore heavily dependent on the funds allocated by governmental agencies.
“We all have our own financial commitments so it has [to be] made more attractive in that way. So look at the packages that the social welfare division are offering to foster-carers and make that more appealing…and make it more structured,” Tomlinson said.
 
(More in today’s Daily Observer)