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Training for motherhood
Mother's Day is an extra special time of year for one Hull foster mum who helps other young mums to learn the skills of family life
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In safe hands: could you follow Sue Norton's example and become a foster carer? |
Mother's Day - which this year is on Sunday March 2 - is always a time of celebration for Sue Norton.
As well as having two children of her own, a son and daughter who have now left home, and two grandchildren, Sue (59) has also been a foster carer for 85 other babies and toddlers over the past 32 years.
It's her life's work
"My own children were only little when I began fostering," Sue says.
"It became normal for them to have other children living with them in the house, they accepted the fact that my foster children would come and go.
"I'm a substitute mum to the foster children for the time I have them.
I might have them for a year or two, however long it takes, and I just really enjoy looking after them."
As well as looking after the children, Sue also has contact with the children's mums.
She welcomes them into her west Hull home to teach them the skills of parenting.
The plan is for the babies and toddlers to eventually go back and live with their mums, many of whom are very young themselves and often from deprived backgrounds, once they know how to look after them.
"It's very satisfying to help young mums learn how to care for their children and then see them take them home.
It gives me a real sense of achievement, it's wonderful.
"All in all Mother's Day is a special time for me because as well as being with my own family, it reminds me of all the children I have looked after over the years."
What is fostering?
Fostering is when a child or young person comes to live with another adult or family during a period when they are unable to live at home.
Foster carers are needed to give them safe and caring homes Parents may have their child fostered for a variety of reasons.
It could be because they are struggling with the effects of drug or alcohol abuse, homelessness, bereavement, family breakdown or physical or mental health problems making them unable to safely look after children themselves.
At the time of going to print, there were 396 children in foster care in Hull and 290 foster carers looking after them.
Fostering provides short or long-term care and allows children and young people to keep in contact with their own families if they wish.
It helps children through a difficult time in their young lives, protecting them from harm and encouraging them to thrive.
Foster carers with Hull Fostering need to be over 21 and have a spare bedroom in their home.
They must also have the required time and energy to invest in a child or young person.
They also need to be flexible, non-judgmental, patient and understanding.
Fostering can be challenging but also extremely rewarding.
People can foster regardless of age, their sexuality and marital status.
What support will I get for fostering a child?
- A support worker to offer guidance and solutions.
- A training program rated 'excellent' by Ofsted.
- Financial allowances paid weekly to cover the cost of a child living in your home plus weekly additional and progressional payments as carers develop their skills.
- Out of hours support available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- A computer with accessories and subsidised broadband internet access.
- Regular social events and monthly newsletters.
- Support groups for both carers and the children of carers.
- Respite care if you, or your foster child, needs a break.
- Membership to The Fostering Network, an independent charity with more than 50,000 members which offers training and support for foster carers.
Special event
Meanwhile, Hull will be making a contribution to a national event called Foster Care Fortnight, which takes place from May 12-25.
Fost Fest, a public event in Queens Gardens on Saturday 24 May, will be held to celebrate the fortnight with music and fun activities for the whole family.
The event is free and open to all.
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