Call for Portsmouth foster carers to keep siblings together at Christmas

For some children, their dream Christmas gift is just to be with their siblings again. Picture – supplied

Christmas is traditionally a time for families to come together, but a dire lack of foster carers means some young brothers and sisters will spend it apart.

It’s a heart-wrenching thought, but as many as 20,000 children across England and Wales who experience the challenges of being placed in care, also find themselves split from their siblings.

Which is particularly poignant at this time of year, when so much focus is on family, the joy of spending time with loved ones and forging memories that last a lifetime.

According to award-winning south coast fostering charity Fair Ways, the sad consequence of a lack of foster carers right across the UK means many children face a festive season away from their families and without the loving support of having their siblings by their side.

No child should spend Christmas without their siblings. Picture – supplied

To highlight their plight, the fostering charity has launched a poignant Christmas campaign, gently calling for those who might be able to open their homes and hearts to a foster child, to give it some thought.

Lonely this Christmas

There is currently a shortage of 10,000 foster carers in the UK.

That means that when children and young people have to spend time in care – which can be for a huge variety of reasons, none of which are really their fault – there just isn’t the space to always keep siblings together.

Can you imagine being separated from your siblings at Christmas? Picture – supplied

Fair Ways point out that it is already a bewildering time of change, when children find themselves parted from all that is familiar: home, school, friends and even their pets.

The lack of foster carers makes it even harder, splitting apart brothers and sisters, removing that close link with the lives they know best and leaving them feeling even less secure.

The figures are startling

A Siblings in Care report published earlier this year by the Children’s Commissioner estimated as many as 20,000 children in care – that’s 37% of the total number – were separated from their siblings when they first enter care.

Of the sibling groups affected, it found 39% were split between two different local authorities, and 2% ended up being divided between three or more.

The research found certain sibling groups were more likely to be divided, such as larger groups of siblings, mixed genders of brothers and sisters and children who are a little bit older.

The report highlighted the impact of it all, warning “This can profoundly affect the strength of their relationship, with lifelong effects.”

And as one girl told the report: “If you don’t have a relationship with your siblings or parents how are you meant to know how to build relationships in your life?”

A happier Christmas ahead

But, as foster charity Fair Ways points out, it doesn’t need to be that way.

It wants people across the south coast to consider whether they could open their hearts and homes and consider becoming a foster carer.

Then, with more carers, by this time next year more children in care could be sharing the joy of Christmas with their brothers and sisters.

Gemma Olden Registered Manager Fair Ways Fostering, added: “We find Christmas for many is a time of reflection and often see an increase in enquiries to foster over the festive period and the new year. This Christmas we have chosen to highlight the need for foster carers for sibling groups as unfortunately, we are seeing more siblings separated from each other throughout the year - which at Christmas is particularly hard to witness.

“If you have you have the available time and space and can provide a safe and caring home for local children in need then please do reach out – my team would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.”

So, could you do it?

If you’re over 21 years old, have a spare room – you don’t have to own your home – and have a driving licence, you’re eligible to apply to foster.

There’s no upper age limit either, and you don’t have to have brought up children yourself or need to have a partner.

All races, religions, cultures and sexualities are welcomed by the agency as they seek caring destinations for the wide range of children in need.

As well as being extremely rewarding on a personal level, carers are paid for the good job they are doing – which might be more than you think.

You can make the change

Fair Ways has been providing top quality services for children in the Portsmouth area for more than 20 years, and has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

As a charity, it has carers’ and children’s best interests at heart.

Most of all, becoming a foster carer is a gift that will last a lifetime for the siblings who desperately want to be together.

As one Fair Ways foster carer says: “Fostering is the most worthwhile and rewarding thing I have done in my life. I can go to bed at night and know I made a difference to a precious, beautiful child. That is my reward.

To find out more or just have an informal chat about fostering, visit www.fairways.co/fostering-services, call 02382 543925, or email [email protected]