The children of foster families, who welcome foster children into their homes alongside their parents, are being celebrated as part of Sons and Daughters Month.
The month is organised by The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity, and is used to acknowledge the fantastic role foster carer’s children play in fostering, and the vital contribution they make towards the wellbeing of fostered children.
As part of Sons and Daughters Month, Durham County Council is writing to nearly 150 children to thank them for their role in fostering children.
The thankyou card comes with a letter from Chris Bell, the council’s adoption and fostering operations manager.
Chris comes from a family who fostered children when he was growing up, so speaks from his own experiences in his letter.
Chris said: “Having grown up as part of a foster carer family I understand both some of the challenges but also the wonderful rewards that come from being part of a foster carer family.
“Here in Durham part of our bespoke training package is designed and delivered to children of foster carers and we also run a dedicated support group for the children of our carers which encourages them to come and share their experiences with us and other children of foster carers, and have some fun whilst doing it.
“In our county we know that on average one new child every day requires a foster placement, and we would like to attract at least 40 families to ensure that we can achieve the best match for young people and families of children who require permanent homes.
“For anyone thinking about fostering I would encourage them to come and talk to us and hear about all the rewards and benefits that fostering can bring, not just for them but for their families as well.”
The fostering service also provides the opportunity for carers’ children to meet and have fun through varied activities each school holiday. During October half-term, they will be going bowling and roller-skating.
The service also provides a fun information session to help prepare carer’s children for their family becoming foster carers and annual Halloween and Christmas parties.