“My Christian faith is important to me.
My Christian faith is very important to me and a core part of who I am. I was initially concerned that this might make people wary of approving me as a foster carer. However, my faith shapes my belief that every individual is valuable and loved and full of potential; and that’s a part of what motivates me to foster.
Through my youth work, I have seen young people find an extended family in the church. As soon as young people enter my church, they immediately gain four extra nanas who love them unconditionally. That sense of being part of a church community can be great for young people in giving them a sense of belonging. It’s also great as a foster carer that I know I have this whole church family there praying for me and ready and willing to support me.
I have no expectation that a child in my care will share my beliefs, but they will always know that that’s a conversation we can have. We currently have lots of discussions about different belief systems and different religions ways of praying. Children in my care will always know they are loved and valued no matter what they believe. However, while I work for a church and a Christian organisation, going to church will always be part of our routine.
I think that acknowledging faith and spirituality is important. It helps you relate to who you are and who your foster children are, and what’s important to you and is an important part of people’s sense of identity.
I will be sensitive in how I talk about my faith, but I won’t try to hide it. If you try and change for children and young people and try to be something you aren’t, they will spot it a mile off. Giving children the opportunity to explore and talk about beliefs and discovering that’s it okay to disagree about these things is an important skill for life.”
Karen
Click here to read more about Karen’s fostering story.
Click here to enquire about fostering with Caritas Care
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Special thanks to Verve Recruitment for their support in helping us find more foster carer for more children.
