Newham urged to foster more carers

National Foster Care fortnight begins today. The event showcases just how important carers are and highlight the need for more people to consider fostering a child.

Someone who knows how rewarding the experience can be is Newham foster carer Kaniz Shaikh. She's been a carer for 16 years and says she's cared for at least 120 children in that time.

"Fostering has become my life. I feel like I was born to do it.

"It's so rewarding to have children come into your life from difficult circumstances and see them grow-up to have an education and a family of their own.

"They've definitely given more to me than I've given to them.

While the work of a foster carer can be very rewarding, unfortunately there's still a shortage of around 10,000 carers in the UK, forcing some children to be placed with a carer away from the school, friends and family they already know.

The borough's fostering service is holding an information session on Thursday May 14 at West Ham United Football Club to answer questions about what's involved in becoming a carer.

Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, said Newham, is looking for people who want the opportunity to change a child's future.
He said: "Foster caring is a vital role in our community and it has a huge impact on a child's life. The bigger the pool of carers we have to work with, the more likely it is that we're able to place a child close to their existing school, friends and family.

"We need people from a wide variety of backgrounds who have space in their lives and homes to care for our children.

The information session will run from 2-8pm on Thursday May 14 at the Boleyn Ground on Green Street, Upton Park.

More information about the Newham Fostering and Adoption Service can be found at www.newham.gov.uk or by calling 0800 0130 393.