The place of faith in the world of fostering

When I look for the presence of ‘faith’ and ‘Faith’ in the world of fostering I find both present - in me, in social work colleagues, in foster carers and most obviously in the children and young people we look after. In my professional life, I have enjoyed encounters with colleagues and clients from many different faiths – Sikh, Muslim, Mormon, Coptic Christians and one memorable family of Wiccans!

For children entering care, having to leave your family and friends, often at a point of crisis with those around you in emotional upheaval, unprepared for separation with things left unsaid to those close to you, your important belongings and people left behind – this is a tremendous upheaval, almost akin to bereavement in the scale of its impact. At that critical moment, children are wholly reliant on the quality of the helping professionals around them, their judgements and their actions, trusting they have the child’s interests at heart and will do the best thing in difficult circumstances. If that’s not an act of ‘faith’ by children then what else is it?

How we act on the ‘faith’ children place in us as professionals can be informed by that other ‘Faith’ we may hold.  

Fideliter et fortiter

I was raised in the Catholic faith, educated in two faith schools and that experience remains significant to me. I still bring to mind my old school motto at times of challenge: “fideliter et fortiter” – faithful and strong. Having faith sustains me and in turn gives me the strength to help others. 

 I have enjoyed working in children’s services across the country where groups of Christian social workers convene informally in the workplace to reflect on how to express their faith through the work they do. Sometimes that may just be talking to the young people we work with about god, the afterlife, morality; this is often the first time some young people have been invited to take part in such reflections. Within our thinking about child development, there has to be consideration for their spiritual development. 

Personal dilemmas

On occasion, there are articles of faith in many religions that can create personal dilemmas for us but I have also seen these dilemmas successfully managed. For example, a Mormon carer supported a young teenager in her recovery from a heroin addiction and took her regularly to church where she could meet girls living different lives who acted as positive role models. When that young person sought a termination of her pregnancy, the foster carer’s deeply held pro-life view meant she could not in conscience support that decision. She did not pass judgement however, but cared for the young person right up until the procedure; that young woman remains in touch with the foster carer even now.   

A final pertinent word from St. Paul: “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let everything you do be done in love”. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

​​The Fostering Network brings together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children and young people to lead, inspire, motivate and support them to make foster care better. To support our work visit www.fostering.net/donate or to donate £10 text FOST37 £10 to 7007