Foster carers are more than parents - it's important to recognise that | Kevin Williams

Children in care need more than a roof over their head and a hug. Foster carers are part of a multi-disciplinary team

It’s funny how language can change over time, often mirroring a change in opinion. It took many years for foster parents to habitually be called foster carers. At the Fostering Network we thought this a significant and positive change in language because it reflected an increased understanding of the role. The responsibility – and the complexity – of the task has grown exponentially over the four decades the network has been in existence, and the change of title was an important step in recognising this.

But following the fostering stocktake in England, that important change appears to have been undone. The civil servants I have encountered from the Department for Education over the last couple of months appear to be using the term “foster parents” as their descriptor of choice. And I’m concerned.

Related: Fostering review: Treat carers as the experts they are

Related: I’m a new foster carer. To help children, we need basic rights | Martin Newland

Continue reading...

from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2q9TpqF