Home for Good has sought to raise the profile of vulnerable children and dispel some of the myths surrounding fostering and adoption. Here are some simple steps that can be taken to make a difference:
Commit to praying regularly for children in care, foster carers, kinship carers and adoptive families – and for the work of Home for Good.
- Use inclusive language. When you make announcements or write a church notice deliberately say ‘parents and carers’.
- Connect with Home for Good to get regular updates. The ‘care’ world is a dynamic environment, so keeping up to date with developments means you can stay alert the needs and how to respond.
- Raise the profile of issues facing children and the need for more foster carers and adoptive families.
- Attend a Home for Good training day to help them better understand the needs of looked after children and their families.
- Talk to other churches and the local authority in your area. What are the presenting needs? Who is already involved?
Taking the step to foster or adopt is a big one and not for everyone, but we can all be part of the support framework for those who do take that step. Your church could support wrap those who are fostering or have adopted children: praying for them and providing practical support.
There are two Home for Good summit meetings where you can discover how you can get involved and hear inspirational stories. They take place in Doncaster on 17th September and Oxford on 1st October.
Visit the Home for Good website homeforgood.org.uk. There is plenty of practical support and some FAQs to help get a better understanding.
Alan Charter is chair of the board of trustees of Home for Good
