The Truth About Foster Care, From A Foster Child
If you believe what you read in the papers, I am lonely, I am unhappy, and I am a criminal. But I am none of those things. Let me set the record straight.
Pic: Pexels Creative Commons / Skitterphoto
My name is Melissa. I am 12 years old, and I am a foster child.
Let me speak the truth. I love being fostered, I am very happy, and I am not a criminal.
Are we lonely?
No. I have lots of support from everyone I’ve met, including a loving family, an amazing social worker, and tons of supportive people I’ve met along the journey.
Are we unhappy?
No. Most foster kids have been taken away from abuse and given to caring families who let the children settle in to make them feel love.
How many foster kids are there in England?
53,420 children are living with foster families. This is nearly four-fifths (78%) of the 68,300 children in care looked after away from home. There are around 44,625 foster families in England!
While undoubtedly there will be children for whom foster care is not a happy experience, this is not the case for me and I don’t think that I’m unique.