FOSTER CARE HOMES CRISIS

Dozens of other youngsters are being housed in temporary homes in east Dorset due to the lack of carers.

Dorset County Council is paying for them to travel to and from their schools in west Dorset by taxi every day.

Simone Harty, senior practitioner at Dorset County Council's fostering unit, said: "We desperately need more foster parents in the west of Dorset. A lot of children are ending up far away from their community and some are fostered outside the county. One of the places we have quite a few children in is Kent.

"There are lots being placed within Dorset but outside their local area because there aren't foster carers nearby. There have been teenagers, for example from Dorchester who go to Thomas Hardye School, but we have had to place them in Christchurch. These children are taken to and from school by taxi.

"This is not a normal experience and we want them to be part of the community where they have been living. This makes it difficult for teenagers to build friendships at a time when friends mean the world to them. It is additional stress in their lives."

She says there are currently 250 foster carers in Dorset but more are desperately needed.

A team from the county council's fostering unit has been touring the county in a double-decker bus to encourage people to become carers.

The unit recently received a boost of £400,000 from council funds to increase payments and allowances given to fosterers.

On average a foster carer now earns £161 a week plus allowances for looking after a teenager.

Ms Harty said child abuse, neglect, drug or alcohol problems with parents are among the reasons why children need to be fostered.

She added: "We have vacancies in all areas of fostering. We need people who are interested in mother and baby fostering, teenage fostering, shared care fostering for children with disabilities and those who may be able to offer placements for sibling groups.

"We are also looking for carers who can offer respite, emergency and assessment fostering.

"We are using the bus to get into the community and raise people's awareness about this."

She estimates that around 80 per cent of children who are fostered return home within a year.

FOUR years ago Nicky Southen fulfilled a lifelong ambition to become a foster mum.

She and her husband Andie have since welcomed seven foster children into their home and offered them stability at a difficult and emotional time.

They are currently looking after three youngsters - a boy of seven and a brother and sister aged 10 and 11 - as well as two children of their own.

The couple took the plunge into becoming foster parents while Nicky was pregnant with her second child Mary.

Nicky, 38, of Portland, said: "I've always wanted to foster and never thought I would have my own kids. But I did have my own children and my husband and I decided to still do it.

"We were assessed to become fosterers when I was pregnant with Mary. They came and visited us at home over quite a long period of time.

"They talk to you about your family life and things that have happened to you in the past. They want to find out about you and if you're suitable."

Dorset County Council social care and health department gave them the green light and the couple underwent a training course to learn about childcare.

During the sessions they explored issues such as child abuse and neglect to broaden their understanding about the backgrounds foster children can come from.

The first child who was placed in their care was a seven-year-old boy.

Nicky said: "He was brought to us because he had problems at home and his mum lacked parenting skills.

"We had a good honeymoon period with him, which I think is quite common because the child is so glad to be secure. After a few months you could see he was quite a damaged child but a lovely little boy.

"Initially when they asked us to take him it was meant to be short-term but he stayed with us for just over two years and then we called it a day. You never really know how long it could be because situations often change."

The boy is now in the process of being adopted by another couple.

Nicky and Andie also took care of a six-year-old boy.

Nicky said: "His mum was dying from cancer. We were there to offer support when his mum was unwell.

"He didn't often stay overnight but would do nice things with him and take him out.

"His mum died last year. It was not as though he had been neglected, he was just very sad.

"Things have been sorted out now so that he is living with his dad."

Nicky says it has given her peace of mind to know she can call on her personal fostering officer for advice and there is an out-of-hours service in case serious problems arise at night.

Nicky and Andie fostered two other children for a short time and are now hoping to gain approval as long-term carers for one of the children they are looking after at the moment.

Before enlisting on the fostering programme, the couple made sure their son William, now 11, was happy with their plans.

"We wouldn't have done it without William's agreement. He does have to share his mum but there are benefits and he always has someone to play with," said Nicky.

"But we didn't foster for the financial reward and won't get rich by it. I would recommend other people to foster. Sometimes you need the patience of a saint and there are lows, like when children are arguing. Some of these children are damaged and have problems. I'm not a psychologist and you have to handle things the way you think is right.

"You try to give a little bit of time to each of them. It is a rewarding experience, especially when you see children progress."

Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can visit Dorset County Council's information sessions.

* A two-hour session is to be held at 7.30pm in Acland Road Day Centre, Dorchester, on June 1.

Another session is being run at the same time on the following day at the Acorns Day Centre, Weymouth.

Peter's Story

Peter, 12, needs a family where he is on his own or with older independent young people.

He has a close relationship with his family and it is very important to him to maintain contact with them.

Peter enjoys normal family activities and responds well to individual attention. He finds school life difficult and will need support. His general health is good.

Personal belongings are very precious to Peter and he finds it difficult to share his things. He would like to have his own room as he does now.

He enjoys going for walks and visiting different places. He likes swimming, computers, going out on his bike, and cars - especially sports cars, listening to music, card games and building and making things. He also enjoys BMX, roller skating and skateboarding.

Peter likes dogs, his family has a dog and his current foster carers have three of them.

He enjoys going out for walks with them.

He is hoping to move back with his family in the future but he may need a family who will support him through to independence.

To find out more about fostering Peter call Pam Bone on 0800 358 1060.

Katy's Story

Katy, 12, is currently in a short-term foster placement - but a long-term placement is needed where she can live until she is 18 years old.

She is in full-time education with good personal and social skills.

She receives some therapeutic support as she does not always find it easy to make relationships with adults and peers. At times her behaviour can be difficult. Katy needs a long-term foster placement, ideally where she would be the only child.

Carers would need to be committed and resilient.

To find out more about fostering Katy call Simone Harty on 0800 358 1060.