Enfield Fostering Service are looking for foster carers for children of all ages. If you think you might be interested, please read the following information or come along to one of the regular Fostering Information Days and Fostering information Evenings held in Edmonton and Enfield Town. Download a list of upcoming Fostering Information Events.
Who needs fostering?
Children or young people aged 0 - 18 years old living in Enfield who experience a serious family breakdown to the point where their own family cannot care for them, may need fostering.
When this happens children are referred to as 'looked after'. For children and young people who need to be looked after by Enfield Council we believe that foster families are the best way to help these children.
Enfield has many religious and ethnic communities so we invite people from all sections of the community to apply to become foster carers. Single children, children with disabilities, siblings (brothers and sisters) younger and older children may need fostering at any time so we want to have good foster families available who can step in and care for these children when they need it most.
All the children we look after will have had difficult experiences. Some of them may have experienced physical and sexual abuse or neglect, which means that they need adults who are patient, warm and understanding to foster them.
- Children under five - If there are concerns for their safety, young children can be taken into care very early on. These children usually require short-term care, as the preference is always to reunite them with parents. If this is not possible, then adoption would be our aim. Your role as foster carers would be to nurture and care for the child until their future plan is secured.
- Children up to 12 years – Primary school children may require either short or longer term care (until they are adults). Enjoying school, eating healthily and encouraging friendships is really important at this age, plus lots of stimulating play.
- Teenagers – If a young person is unable to return home, they may need longer term foster care until adulthood. You’ll be helping them to work through personal issues, gain qualifications and develop practical skills, such as cooking, and this role can be incredibly rewarding.
- Black and mixed heritage children – If you’re black or have a mixed heritage partnership, we would be keen to hear from you, as we have a high proportion of black children who would benefit from being placed with carers who can meet their cultural needs.
- Sibling groups – Staying together with brothers and sisters is very important to children who’ve had to cope with difficult experiences. They need the comfort of each other, as well as you. If you’d like to care for sibling groups, let us know.
- Disabled children – We have a small number of children in care who have a disability. This can be anything from a minor hearing impairment to a more serious physical or mental disability. This rewarding role would include helping them access community facilities and widening their social network for a better life.
If you want to find out more about fostering, please visit http://www.enfield.gov.uk/info/1000000437/fostering. Alternatively, you can contact us in a number of ways:
- Register your interest using our online form
- Email Fostering
- Free Phone: 0800 038 1313
- Tel: 020 8379 2831