Hounslow’s Fostering community are marking Foster Care Fortnight (FCF) – which starts today, 11 May - by celebrating the borough’s longest serving active carers.
The experiences of Dean and Nora will be shared in a series of videos where they recount memories of a caring career than spans five decades.
The couple began fostering for Hounslow in the 1980s and estimate they have looked after over 90 young people. They are both passionate about keeping cared for children in the borough, with Nora commenting: “I think it’s really important that children are cared for in the borough, by the borough and have everything available to them in the borough. Unfortunately, when they go to an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) they’re taxied in and taxied out. It would be so much better if they could stay in house.”
Husband Dean echoed her thoughts: “(With IFAs) you’re taking this looked after child from their environment, where they live, where their friends are, their schools and their family, parents. There may be an aunt or uncle that’s close by, and they lose that contact.”
Dean and Nora’s videos can be seen HERE.
The fostering team will be in Hounslow’s Treaty Centre from 10am-4pm from 11-16 and 18-22 May to meet prospective carers who can have an informal chat and meet some of Hounslow’s existing foster carers (12/14/15/18/19/20 and 22 May only).
Hounslow’s foster carers can now earn from £408 to £848 a week depending on the needs of the child(ren). This includes the fostering allowance for each foster child, which covers their day-to-day care and a professional fee, serving as an income payment for their efforts.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer for Hounslow Council, get in touch and start the conversation: Foster with Hounslow | London Borough of Hounslow
More stories from the Hounslow foster care community: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/foster-care-fortnight
