4 January 2008

The Rewards of Fostering

In any one day around 2,500 children and young people are living with foster carers in Northern Ireland.

Fostering is about caring for children who are unable to live at home. This could be for a number of reasons which prevent birth parents from looking after their children, for example, health or social issues, relationship problems or lack of support. Fostering provides security and stability for a child in such circumstances.

Ellen Haugh who is over 60 and lives in Ballymartin, has been a foster carer for 21 years. Married to Tom with seven grown up children, their home in the heart of the Mournes is an idyllic rural setting.

Before becoming a full time foster carer, Ellen had been a child minder and also offered respite to children with disabilities. It was because of her love of children that a friend showed her a newspaper advert, looking for a foster placement for a specific child.

“When we took our first foster child, our youngest daughters were eight and 10 years old but being used to a big family and having other children in the home, they adapted really well,” says Ellen. “I feel that foster caring has enhanced their perspective on life and given them a better understanding and compassion for others.”

“Over the years I have fostered about 50 children, around 30 girls and 20 boys, from new borns to adolescents. Some of these have been short-term, some long-term and I also provide specialist fostering for children with disabilities. I feel I have a special ability with children who have disabilities and get great joy from caring for them. The most children I had for any one period was six children for eight years.”

Ellen has loved all the children in her care and was really delighted when one of her ex foster children visited her recently with a bouquet of flowers. She says: “All of the children who have stayed with me have been hurting and the fact that they are in care has added difficulties. I try to tailor my care to meet the needs of each child, always recognising the need for time and patience.”

Ellen has always had positive relationships with social work staff and has been able to work effectively in partnership with them. She says she also has always been able to establish reasonable working relationships with birth parents.

On the challenges she adds: “The most challenging part of fostering is getting to know a child and learning to read their moods and behaviours. However I have successfully been able to do this with over 50 children.”

On the rewards of fostering Ellen concludes: “For my family, fostering has become a way of life. I take great delight in our very extended and expanding family, I now even have foster grandchildren. The ultimate reward is having an ex foster child visit after many years.”

Foster carers are ordinary people of all ages from all types of family situations who can offer a child or sibling group a loving family. People who can help a child recover from the reasons why they came in to care. If you think you might have what it takes, please pick up the phone today.

To find out more about fostering contact your local Family Placement Team:

Armagh and Dungannon Tel: 028 8775 2033

Craigavon and Banbridge Tel: 028 3833 7181

Newry and Mourne Tel: 028 3083 2692/3