Fostering a Christian Child

Fostering a Christian Child

To make sure that we have the best possible outcomes for our Christian children and young people, we strive to recruit foster families that can provide a safe, nurturing and a culturally responsive home that respects the child’s religious identity. In an ideal world, we will place a child within a home that is already practicing Christianity, however there are times, this may not always be possible. Below we will discuss some important things to consider in order to best support a Christian child who is in your care.

Religious Identity:

One of the most important things you can do to support the faith of a Christian child in your care is to create a safe and secure environment in which they can continue to practice and strengthen their faith. Try to create routines where the child can make time for quiet prayer and reflection, as well as attend church services if appropriate. This could include incorporating Bible study and other Christian rituals into the daily routine.

We would encourage you to support your foster child’s faith by attending church/place of worship with them, where they can meet other people who share their faith, and by celebrating significant religious events such as Easter, Harvest or Christmas. You should be (or become) knowledgeable in other Christian cultures and traditions. You could encourage your Christian Foster child to listen to hymns and religious music, read devotional materials, or to join a bible study group. Being a Christian may be an important part of your foster child’s identity, as such they should feel supported in exploring and deepening their faith.

As a Foster carer, you have a unique opportunity and responsibility to support the faith of any children in your care. By being culturally sensitive and creating a safe and nurturing environment, you can help make the transition of a Christian foster child into their new home a positive and successful experience.