Just how important is a child's culture & heritage?
Could you foster Johnny?
We are looking for foster carers for Johnny. Could you be his new foster carers? Why not find out more?
Agencies placing children with foster carers have a duty to consider a child's religion, racial origin, cultural background, and first language before reaching decisions regarding suitable foster care placements for them.
As the graph above indicates children being 'looked after' come from all sections of our society.
In most circumstances placement with a family of similar ethnic origin and religion will be most likely to meet the needs of the young person. Sometimes this is difficult to achieve.
It is estimated that nationally only 1% of all foster carers are from our ethnic minority communities. Many social services departments and other agencies are now making much more effort to recruit these foster carers but it will take quite some time to change this situation.
Foster carers who are asked to care for a child of a different racial and/or cultural identity need to be very sensitive about many aspects of these placements. It is not realistic or wise to adopt a stance where it is claimed that these matters are not important. They are to the young person!
A child needs, and has the right to grow up in an environment where they are able to value their religious background, racial origins, culture and language. Foster carers who disregard these issues will inevitably not be able to serve the very best interests of the child.
As a foster carer you can benefit by gaining as much knowledge about different cultures as you can and your public library should be able to supply books that will provide information upon many aspects of most religions and cultures.
If you are asked to accept the placement of a child from a different cultural background or racial heritage you should, in consultation with the child's social worker, explore what opportunities exist within your neighbourhood and elsewhere, which might be used to address the young persons needs.
You should also find out before the placement what practical issues might be involved in their care. For example, concerning the child's dietary needs (as some religions forbid the eating of certain foods), any particular hair and skin care they may require, etc.
