Thanks to John: Foster carer – Manchester region.

Could anyone have guessed that the new millennium would so quickly begin to resemble a return to some of the worst excesses of the Dickensian era? What is startling is that the needs of many of our children are simply not being met. And in an increasingly wide variety of ways. True, we have had to navigate our way through a global pandemic. True also, we are now confronting a ‘cost of living crisis’: shaping up to be the worst in living memory. Both have exacerbated problems that were already impacting on our Young people. 

The country’s social fabric is being stretched in all directions. Social care for the elderly is becoming more an idea than a reality. Beds are being blocked in hospitals up and down the country leading to queues of ambulances in hospital car parks. All these problems were well on the way to becoming intractable before covid and the financial crisis. Now they are looking insurmountable. The hope must be that the government, having recently stood on the brink of meltdown politically and economically, is now chastened. There is a feeling our political masters have come closer to losing control than at any point in living memory. Across the country, there is a sense of restlessness and mounting intolerance. This brings real dangers and sadly those in the firing line are the most vulnerable: children. 

What is the answer? I would argue that restoring people’s sense of purpose and collective well-being must be the priority. How is that to be done? By creating a new mission that we can all sign up to. And how do we frame that mission? Well, we all remember being young and we can all imagine, whatever our age, what it might be like to be old. This matters because we can all understand what it is to be vulnerable. Even those who are affluent will not be spared the pervasive unease caused by seeing their fellow citizens floundering. Never was it more truly said that “no man is an Island. Or looked at another way, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” On the most fundamental level, we all know the answer to be yes. Our own health and well-being are contingent on knowing everyone else is as secure as we need to feel. Why? Because when large numbers of our fellows find themselves in dire straights, we feel disquiet: a sense that something is wrong. Of course, there will always be inequalities, but it is the degree that counts. 

So what is this mission? Very simply, to redirect all our resources into eradicating the vulnerability of both young and old in our society. Education and social care have to be transformed by being reimagined. The cost will be eye-watering. But it can be mitigated in myriad ways: do we need another aircraft carrier in an age of cyber warfare? What does defence even mean if we are being attacked from within by a foe we have yet to acknowledge: our own despondency? People are far happier paying tax when they can see a tangible difference. How much happier then, when what they see is a transformation; one that is apprehensible and swiftly improves the lot and happiness of our young and old.

An optimistic and healthier nation that is better educated has ultimately to be more productive. This, as any economist or politician will tell you, is the prerequisite for increasing spending. How much better we would all feel knowing each schoolchild begins the day well fed and able to rely on his/her parents providing nutritious meals at home. How much better we would all feel knowing the elderly have access to first-rate social care that allows them to age with dignity. 

Allowing ourselves to reimagine leads to a world of possibilities. Schools could become community education centres where pupils can rely on being given three highly nutritious meals each day. This would safeguard their health and their ability to learn: the level playing field politicians spend so much time arguing for. Such centres would remain open during the summer holidays so every child would be guaranteed regular meals. Sports, music, and arts facilities would be available in such centres spreading opportunity – with the added advantage far fewer young people would get into scrapes with the law. Doubtless many would object on the grounds of affordability. But The long-term health costs of a continuing epidemic of obesity – as well as criminal activity – will run into billions. And all that will remain once this unrealised human potential has been expended, will be casualties. The rot has to be stopped. Everyone who works in childcare and protection already understands the odds are stacked against disadvantaged children and young people: only seven per cent of foster children pass GCSEs compared to forty per cent of their peers. Care leavers make up twenty-four per cent of those incarcerated in prison, and twenty-five per cent of the homeless. It’s easy to see why these young people have such limited prospects when over forty per cent are not in education, employment or training.

Name(s) changed to protect privacy. All views expressed are personal. They are reproduced to stimulate debate and contribute to the wider conversation about the provision of care for children and young people. 

Foster with Rainbow for a rewarding career.

There are plenty of Fostering opportunities with Rainbow. Call 0330 311 2845 to find out what is fostering all about. You will need a spare room to foster. Above all, you must have the time and motivation to provide all the support a vulnerable child or young person will need. Fostering will suit anyone who wants to make a real difference in improving the prospects of disadvantaged youngsters. Fostering children can be challenging however the training we provide is second to none. Rainbow is one of the longest-established independent fostering agencies rated ‘Outstanding in all areas’ by Ofsted.

Fostering pay: How much do you get for fostering? This is one of the most common questions we receive. The short answer is we pay a generous fostering allowance for all foster carers but some types of fostering attract higher levels of remuneration. Therapeutically trained carers looking after children with high needs are paid at a higher rate. All our foster carers are encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities we provide. The answers to many questions about fostering can be found at – https://rainbowfostering.co.uk/frequent-asked-questions/ We feature the rich and varied world of fostering in the numerous topics explored in our website’s blog section – a  rich knowledge bank for anyone involved in fostering or interested in the issues that relate to it. Visit – and today we recommend – https://rainbowfostering.co.uk/foster-care-with-rainbow-in-six-straightforward-steps/ Thinking of fostering a dog? Children can benefit in many ways from looking after and sharing the responsibility of caring for a pet. For advice visit – https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/fostering

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