There is a perception that a foster-carer has to be married, young and working in the home. "This simply isn't the case," a foster team leader with the East Coast Area Health Board, Ms Renée English, said yesterday as the board launched an appeal for more foster parents.
The board, like others across the State, is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit foster parents for children in care. As a result, many children end up in children's residential centres rather than in a family home. The board, which is holding an information week on fostering, said it urgently needs to find people who enjoy being with and caring for children or adolescents.
"We're looking for people from all walks of life to apply, the most important thing is that they have a commitment to caring for children," Ms English said.
The board will welcome inquiries from single, widowed and separated people. They need not be parents, they need not be in employment and they don't have to own their own home. They will be offered financial support and training. Anyone interested can call the board's freephone number at 1800 670 700.