HSC Northern Ireland Foster Care are currently seeking foster carers for unaccompanied and separated young people.

From a day to a year, Foster Care helps children and young people in many ways.

Each child and young person is unique and their circumstances vary. To respond to this, there are several different types of foster care to suit every child or young person. Whether foster carers offer short term emergency support or a more permanent placement, their roles are key to the well-being and care of each and every child or young person who is reliant on foster care in Northern Ireland.

Unaccompanied and separated children and young people from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia arrive into Northern Ireland without a parent or responsible adult. Most of these children (mostly teenagers), are separated from their families and find themselves in a new country facing the challenge of different customs and a different language.

NI Adoption and Foster are are actively recruiting foster carers who are in the position to support these vulnerable children and young people who come from a range of ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.

In many cases, these young people are fleeing danger and war, they may have been victims of trafficking or exploitation, or their parent or carer has disappeared. These circumstances are hugely challenging and the children and young people desperately need a safe and welcoming home environment where they will receive practical and emotional support and care. It is our wish that these children will be able to integrate into local communities, making new friends and learning English. Ideally, we hope to find homes where there is a current, or potential understanding of the child’s heritage, culture, and religion.

Visit NI Foster Care website to learn more about providing for these young people or fostering in general:-

www.adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net

or contact NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 if you think you could help.

NI Foster Care have also produced a leaflet with further information, Please click HERE (Link opens in new window)