A SAFE and loving home is something every child should have – and more than 50,000 foster families across the country help make this possible.
And for one Saddleworth couple, deciding to become long-term foster parents was a life-changing move they have never looked back on.
Karen and Peter, both 57, already have a grown-up son and daughter but decided to foster two children six years ago to offer them a better quality of life.
Karen, a former head-teacher, admitted the choice comes with its ups and downs but urged others to take the step and welcome youngsters into their families.
“I’ve worked in schools in more deprived areas and you look at a child and think ‘What has life got in store for them?’,” she said.
“School can do a lot, but there is so much a family can do to help them develop as a person and prepare for adult life if you offer a loving, stable home.
“There are always going to be issues – children have been whisked away from their old lives and put among people they don’t really know. It must leave so many bereft and bewildered.
“Lots of people may think they can’t do it and you couldn’t for a minute say it is easy but being a parent is a long term commitment and you make that work around everything else.”
As long-term foster parents, Karen and Peter make most decisions affecting their children – such as trips abroad and vaccinations – but legal responsibility rests with Oldham Council.
Supervised contact with birth parents is recommended but Karen said by helping the children thrive and blossom they quickly formed a new, loving family unit that will last for ever.
She said: “When people ask how many children we have we automatically say four and what I want to say above everything is we love them all.
“Even when they have grown up, been to university and are having families of their own, they will never leave us as this will always be their family.”
Peter added: “Having children brings a new lease of life, and their interests become yours. It keeps you active and makes sure you get out and about and involved in them growing up.”
Anyone over 21 with a spare bedroom and a safe, stable home can apply to be a long-term foster carer. Financial and social support is offered, and for more information, ring Oldham Foster Service on 0161 770 6600 or visit their website: http://www.oldham.gov.uk/fostering
