At any one time there are 350 children in Northern Ireland in need of foster parents, it was revealed today as Barnardo’s launched its first ever fostering week.
The children’s charity is seeking to stop the chain of children who are repeatedly passed by when it comes to finding families ready to take them out of children’s homes.
The week-long campaign aims to highlight the need for families who can offer a safe and nurturing home for children who are in difficult circumstances.
Barnardo’s Northern Ireland director Lynda Wilson said: “Children can be in need of fostering for many reasons and it is Barnardo’s job to place the right child with the right parent.”
“Our aim is to place children in long term foster care to give them the stability and support they so desperately need.”
The charity has been successfully placing children in foster care for 30 years in Northern Ireland and prides itself in its ability to match the right people with the right child.
In addition to a professional fee, Barnardo’s offer its carers 24-hour support. It also has a number of support carers who offer support to families and to other foster carers.
Ms Wilson said they were looking for people who were interested in fostering on a full time basis and those who would like to provide shorter breaks to children in need.
PA