Essex in 'desperate' need of more foster carers
The County Council is stepping up calls to increase the number of carers in the area.
Last updated 17th Sep 2020
As the County Council seeks to increase the number of foster carers across the county, we've been speaking to a family in Frinton-on-Sea.
56-year-old David Bullock and wife Marie, 50, began fostering in April 2019 and have since cared for eight children, including siblings.
That's on top of parenting their own children aged between 5 and 23-years-old.
David was made redundant at the start of the year and before he could find new employment, the UK went into lockdown.
Despite initial concerns, the couple decided to increase their involvement as foster carers, and have even looked after several children during the pandemic as short term or emergency placements.
They are currently looking after a 5-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl, who are siblings, and have told us that having children of your own can really help when you start fostering.
David said: "The first thing that children do is explore the house and look around, but they are attracted immediately to other children.
"So, for us it really benefits having our children here. We have one child that's autistic, who's our own child, he brings special qualities to these children that are invaluable as well, because they can see that everyone is different.
"When they come and start getting into our routine - which is school, breakfast, dinner and going to the zoo and other days out - they are able to see it from a child's perspective instead of an adult's."
As the world continues to face the coronavirus pandemic, those who may have considered fostering in the past might have put it on hold, but Mr Bullock thinks now is the right time to do it.
He said: "The need for foster carers doesn't go away, there may be a pandemic and there may be things that have happened, but children need support.
"There's all types of children who need support especially sibling children and teenagers. Those sorts of children need the support from people to give them care and a safe environment they want to grow up in."
Foster carers can come from any walks of life and be single, married, from a same-sex family or retired, and will always to have access to an active network of support groups in Essex.
The County Council also offer high-quality training to all foster carers, as well well as ongoing support.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at the authority, said: "Our foster carers help build better, brighter futures for hundreds of children across Essex every year. We desperately need more people, like David and Marie, to foster on a full and part-time basis for either short or long-term placements"
To find out more about fostering in Essex, click here or call 0800 801 530.