Foster carers like most of us are busy people. Often far too busy to see the wood for the trees. All of us are on a personal mission of one sort or another. But whatever it may be, we take for granted there will always be the time to have a family and raise Children –  perfectly natural.

And being driven by instinct can we be blamed for not scrutinizing such an assumption. And even if we did, would we have had the capability to do so? Could we even have framed the right questions? A good one being ‘am I prepared to devote the time and resources to the task?’ 

The problem is we too easily act on incorrect assumptions and preconceived ideas – about pretty much everything. What’s worrisome is the habit is ingrained and can impact the things that matter most. 

Asking the right questions matters.

We ask questions, that’s what we humans do: since the dawn of time – so far back no one can ever know when we first started. Those first questions were probably universal – our ancestors gazing up at a night sky that, as well as being hypnotic, must have begged many questions: who am I, where do I come from, what is my place in this celestial light show? Of course, they wouldn’t have been framed that way since language itself would have been rudimentary. But the impulse underlying such nascent patterns of thought had arrived: curiosity. And since then, we have continued on in this vein. True, it has led down many blind alleys but, being wrong often points the way to being right. It was once thought the world was flat and that the sun orbited the earth: a view that became dogma. The so-called evidence was often confused with a need to believe or exert overt control. And when this was driven by religious fervour, the results could be dangerous – even life-threatening: ask Galileo. 

By habitually asking questions and refining the answers our knowledge has been shaped over the millennia to where it is today. But it’s only a single point along a continuum – and one limited by the span of human existence. The extent of our technical mastery means we are now abrogating the asking of questions to algorithms. A trend that can only grow exponentially. For the present, technology has not overtaken us to the extent we no longer ask questions. When that day dawns we will have surrendered most of what it is to be human. At the moment, despite the smorgasbord of possibilities technology tempts us with we retain free will. So we can ask the questions for ourselves. And here’s one I believe is timely, pertinent, and urgent: 

‘how good are we at actually asking questions?’ And more significantly, ‘how free are we to ask them.’ Such a view could be thought to hint at underlying paranoia. After all, we no longer burn heretics or dissenters from scientific truth – or any other kind of truth for that matter. But reputations, careers, and funding can all be at risk from asking uncomfortable questions. Without realising the consequences we have named this new orthodoxy: ‘Cancel Culture’. Anyone doubting this need only think about the growing list of the intellectually disenfranchised: people raising questions universities deem too uncomfortable to allow. What must never be forgotten is the freedom to ask questions of whatever sort, which is conjoined with free speech itself. This form of censorship, for that is what it is, must be resisted. As must the acceptance of blind orthodoxy whatever it is. Allowing it can be as intellectually corrosive and divisive as it was in the sixteenth century. Why is this? Because a great question can be revolutionary. It has the potential to challenge and ultimately unseat those in power – whether in government, a university, or a hallowed institution. Such a question itself can ignite fundamental change. And why, because the answer(s) can have an incendiary effect on the status quo. And this is a good thing for the health of society. 

In some of the most under-developed countries in the world, children will trek miles to attend a school that is often little more than a shack. Often there aren’t enough chairs or desks and certainly no computers. Yet today we learn, some teenagers in UK schools are using lemon juice to fake Covid tests resulting in entire classes being sent home from school. And it’s a practice widespread enough to have trended on social media. So we can ask the very particular question:

“what is it about our education system that leaves some of our children so unappreciative compared to children in the third world that they can do such a thing?”

A Key Question.

So this is a series of blogs intended to keep alive the visionary ideas of Sir Ken Robinson who passed away in 2020. It has been inspired by hearing a day or so ago that Radio 4 is broadcasting a programme the asks the question ‘What is Education For’. This was curious: the nation’s broadcaster asking a question posed years ago by Sir Ken Robinson. His analysis, always hortatory in style and tone, the questions he provoked – together with many of the answers –  more important than ever. The ability to ask genuinely pertinent questions leads to asking even more. The result: a line of questioning that can lead to profound thinking about all kinds of interconnected relationships. It’s no exaggeration to say that addressing Sir Ken Robinson’s analysis could save us from disappearing from the planet. 

The programme planners and researchers at Radio 4 could have asked a far better question: ‘Why are we asking the same question years later? And perhaps more disquieting, why are so many of Sir Ken Robinson’s answers not already driving educational policy? Despite being feted by politicians when it appears to have suited them, the educational status quo remains unchallenged. The dirigisme of the state in relation to education – especially testing – remains entrenched. The cabalistic leanings of the high priests in the educational establishment continue to hold sway. Many argue the time has come for a challenge to be mounted. The UK compares poorly in the PISA* rankings against a country like Finland that places little reliance on testing. So it’s entirely legitimate to question why we do so much of it. Especially as the downsides look pretty considerable: children, parents, and teachers stressed to levels that can affect mental wellbeing. It should not be forgotten mental ill-health was a growing problem well before Covid struck and should not now be conflated with it. It’s a system that continues to work to the advantage of a few, undoubtedly. But is that what we want? Or should be tolerated? The obsessive belief in testing is a classic example of the well-intended splendide mendax: we should not be led to believe repeated testing is in the interests of all children.  

Parents, foster carers – in fact, all of us – have a stake in education. That means we have a responsibility to be informed and engage in the debate. By doing so we can provide the best support and advocacy for our children. We can also work to ensure the system is one that identifies and develops the huge range of individual talents children have. Only by doing this can we safeguard their life chances and futures. And this starts at a very young age. The Early Years are key to laying the foundation for children to succeed. This year we are supporting the #summerofplay campaign which is all about children having the freedom and time to explore and play outdoors. For more information visit: https://www.summerofplay.co.uk/

Ever thought of becoming a foster carer?

At Rainbow, we are dedicated to providing the best possible support to our committed and compassionate foster carers. Through sensitive matching, we aim to identify the right family for each child, sibling group, teenager, Parent & Child, or UASC (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child.) Our children have varying emotional, psychological, and physical needs. Many have experienced abuse and or neglect before coming to us. To support them we train our carers to provide therapeutic support. This places them at the heart of a professional team dedicated to helping such children overcome these experiences. 

We are currently looking for new and existing foster carers in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Hampshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. And Rainbow is interested in all kinds of people who may be married, single, in a relationship, divorced, LGBTQ+  and either own or rent their home – which will have at least one spare bedroom for a foster child. We recruit foster carers from all ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. This is so we can offer the widest choice of placement settings for children and young people. 

The next step.

We would love to hear from you as soon as possible and the number to call is 0330 311 2845. You might like to visit our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions Page) in advance. This has all the most common questions we get asked about fostering. It can be accessed at: http://rainbowfostering.co.uk/frequent-asked-questions/

Transferring from fostering agencies.

We have been rated ‘Outstanding in all areas’ by Ofsted and attract interest from experienced foster carers wishing to transfer. We make the process smooth and efficient – all our applicants benefit from the high professional standards we set for every aspect of our operation. 

For the up-to-date information on staying safe visit – 

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/coronavirus

Rainbow putting the focus on fostering.

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