Fostering a child with disabilities

Embarking on a life as a foster carer is a big step for everyone. No matter how confident you are about your decision, there are bound to be ups and downs in the application process and then during your placement, as with life, there will be highs and lows. The decision becomes even more challenging when you consider becoming a foster carer to a child with disabilities. However, this opportunity also brings with it many rewards.

As the numbers of children in the foster care system climbs, so does the number of children with disabilities and complex needs.  Each and every child deserves love and care, a safe and secure home, and access to medication and support when needed. It is our goal to ensure that each child receives this regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

A child with disabilities

Becoming a foster carer to a child with disabilities could mean one of several things. The child or young person may have a wide variety of disabilities – some may be physically able with a learning disability and/or autism. Others may have a physical disability or a sensory impairment while others may have a combination of both. Other children may have complex health needs which require medical care.

Each child is unique and if you decide to foster a child with a disability, you would be assigned a social worker and you would receive specialist training and support.

How to foster a child with disabilities 

There are different ways in which you could help in the foster care process. You may be able to offer short breaks in order to assist a full time foster carer or a family. Or maybe you would consider short term care which would provide a safe and secure home to a child or young person for a short, defined period of time while they are being reunited with their parents or consider becoming a full time foster carer.

Training and support

As with all foster care applications, part of the process will be a full range of training and educational programmes to ensure that you are well prepared for a placement. This is even more relevant to the foster care of a child with disabilities as you may also be expected to undertake training in medical aspects of care, language and communication skills, and other related programmes. Training is ongoing and is constantly updated to ensure that all our foster carers feel fully equipped on all occasions.

Foster care support groups give you the opportunity to build relationships with other foster carers and to learn from shared experiences. Our foster carers find great comfort and substantive help through these relationships.

 Who makes a good foster carer to a child with disabilities? 

Anyone who feels they would like to improve the life experience of a child or young person in foster care can apply. There are no specific qualifications that rule you in or out and no ‘traditional’ foster carer. It is a help to be patient, understanding, open minded, a good communicator and to be keen to learn new skills.

The child is likely to have a multi-disciplinary team around her/him that you will need to be in regular contact with to effectively meet to all of the child’s needs.

The rewards

The decision to foster any child is life changing. We will always have fears and anxieties, even if we’re experienced and incredibly sure of our decisions, these anxieties can remain. It is important to recognise the huge reward that fostering a child with disabilities can have. The impact that a foster carer can make on the life of a child with disabilities is remarkable.

“We never had the intention of becoming full time foster carers. It is hard work but we are so glad that it happened and wouldn’t change it for the world. We love offering ‘A’ a foster home and we love her so much!’’ – Karen and Mark Anderson

“Caring for a child with a disability is busier than we could ever have imagined but we do not view this negatively. In fact, we love it and find caring for ‘M ‘even more rewarding than we first thought. We can’t imagine life without him.’’ – Judith and Graham Hawthorne

Each child has the right to a safe and secure home. To be seen and supported. To be advocated for and to be loved. Being a foster carer to any child, with or without disabilities can offer that.