Children of foster carers ‘changing the world’

Published: 1 October 2020

Phenomenal selflessness is being demonstrated across Derby every day by the children of our foster carers and October is the time to recognise it.

Asking children and young people to share their toys, their homes and the time of their loved ones is a tricky proposition, however there are many sons and daughters of foster carers who do just that.

October marks Sons and Daughters Month – a campaign run by the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Throughout October the charity is encouraging people to recognise, thank and reward children and young people living in fostering households for the important role they play in welcoming fostered children into their families.

Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

Sons and daughters of foster carers share their home and it is right that we celebrate them. They can really help in supporting children and young people in foster care to feel settled and secure, not just at home but also in other settings such as school, after-school clubs, or at special occasions and events.

Sons and daughters achieve incredible things day in, day out – and this year has been particularly challenging. Even when faced with a pandemic and their whole life being turned upside down the sons and daughters of foster carers have managed to support the children living with them through their highs and lows.

The children of foster carers can benefit a great deal from fostering too. They learn valuable life skills such as sharing, empathy, relationship building and responsibility.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network said:

Tonight over 65,000 children right across the UK will be living with a fostering family, and thousands of foster brothers and sisters will make them feel more at home, safer, happier and more loved. All these children and young people, who have opened their home, their heart, and made other children feel welcome within their family, have my utmost respect and admiration. It is not always easy but their efforts are changing the world for so many other children.

Find out more about the campaign by emailing the fostering team at fostering@derby,gov.uk and follow the campaign on social media using #SADM20.

[Notes to editors]

• More information about the Sons and Daughters Month campaign can be found at org.uk/sadm
• The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children to make foster care the very best it can be.
• Everyday there are around 65,000 children living with 55,000 foster families in the UK. Every 20 minutes another child comes into care needing a foster family. Children and young people are placed in care for a variety of reasons including abuse and neglect.

Children, Young people