From 11am to 4pm the Family Placement Service is holding the free event in celebration of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until 24 May.
Over the two weeks, the service is holding drops-ins, where locals are welcome to learn more about becoming a foster carer. Members of the fostering community will be sharing their experiences, showing that fostering is often about the small but powerful moments that matter – helping a child build trust, and supporting them through change.
There are currently 19 fostering households in the island, looking after 23 children.
Senior supervising social carer, Vicki Tennant, said that the amount of local carers has declined over the last few years, which mirrors the trend in the UK. She said that on average there were about 35 children looking for foster care at any one time in the Bailiwick.
‘The national campaign highlights the need to recruit more foster carers, but it’s also a chance to celebrate all of the good work that current carers already do,’ she said.
Local couple Ben and Cathy Martin have been foster carers for the past six years, and in that time have looked after 10 children around the ages of 11 to 13. They currently have two children in their home, who have been with them for almost four years.
‘We got into it because we used to do Night Stop with Action for Children, which is short-term emergency care,’ said Mr Martin.
‘We don’t have our own kids, and we had a house with spare rooms, and we just thought we’d look into it. Six years later, we’re still doing it. This is the first long-time placements we’ve had. It can be very challenging, but it’s so rewarding. We both happen to work for the States, so there’s that public service element. But you also see yourself as a re-usable resource. You can keep making a big impact for lots of lives. You do feel good about yourself doing it – you can’t help but recognise that what you’re doing is a really positive thing, and you see that reflected in the kids that you’re looking after.
‘As foster carers, we have lots of regular courses, reviews, meetings and documents that we have to complete – but by doing that, you get to see the progress that the kids have made while in your care, and how quickly. To see that growth in them is amazing. And to give them opportunities, and to take them on holidays – it’s really nice. It’s a full-time job, but it’s such an important and fulfilling one.’
This year’s campaign theme ‘This is Fostering’ shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering. To help them through, Mrs Martin said the support for foster carers in the island is significant – more than she had expected.
‘The Family Placement Service team are amazing,’ she said.
‘They’ve been a very stable and consistent support network throughout. It’s very positive. If I were to go back to when I started, and give myself some advice, I’d say “you can rely on your social worker a lot more than you think”. That, and “make sure to stock up on hot chocolate”.’
Carers are able to set their own boundaries and choose what works for them and their lifestyle. They can set an age range, how many children they will have at one time, and how often they want to be caring – even if only on evenings or weekends.
Mrs Tennant said that temporary respite care is valuable, offering full-time carers a break. These choices can be amended at any time.
Along with creative activities, stalls, bubbles and bouncy castles, the team are available throughout the day at Sausmarez Park.
‘Islanders don’t need special qualifications or a perfect home to foster – just compassion, patience, and the ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment,’ said Cath Black, team manager.
The service is holding its next Skills to Foster Course on 29 to 31 May. It provides an opportunity to learn more about the realities of the fostering role.
Anyone keen to join the course, or to find out more, can get in touch with the Family Placement Service at guernseyfostercare.com, call 01481 223182 or email familyplacementservice@gov.gg
The Family Placement Service will be hosting the following drop-in sessions:
Beau Sejour Leisure Centre, Wednesday 20 May, 3pm-7pm;
Guernsey parkrun at Pembroke Bay, on 23 May; and
Beach House, Pembroke, Saturday 23 May 9am-11am.
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