A plea for more BME foster carers

Chaz Harrison
BBC Northampton

More than a quarter of children waiting to be fostered in the UK are from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

However, not enough foster carers from BME backgrounds are coming forward and fostering these children.

Northamptonshire foster carer Ascileta Cleghorn believes a child growing up with carers of the same ethnic origin have a better understanding of who they are.

"Being with your own kind makes a difference. It's a family lifestyle."

Ascileta is grateful for any child to be fostered by any family, but feels they benefit within their own community much more.

"Initially I requested any child from any race, but it was my biological son who brought to my attention that it may be in the best interests of the child if they were from the same ethnicity as myself."

It's a full time job

Ascileta Cleghorn has been fostering for nearly two years now and used to work with children in schools on a voluntary basis. Ascileta gave up this job as she wanted to give her foster child as much attention and care as possible.

Her foster child prefers that he is the same ethnicity as her. He finds that people automatically assume by looking at him and Ascileta's family together that he is her biological child.

Ascileta Cleghorn and Claire Iweka

"It's nice to foster a child when they have the same background as yourself, but not many people from these communities are coming forward we need to change this" says Ascileta.

Claire Iweka from the Adoption & Fostering Recruitment Team in Northampton echos the same issues.

"When matching children with carers a number of factors are looked at including cultural matching which is a very important one. BME children tend to wait longer for families as there is a limited number of families available to meet their cultural needs."

"Basic things like hair care and skin care are some important to a child growing up, so what we want is a whole range of foster carers from a whole range of ethnicities so when a child comes into care we can meet their needs better."

Research has shown that the development of a child's racial identity can be measured as young as 2.5 years of age (Clark & Clark 1939) which is why the appeal for more carers is so apparent today.

We need more people

"Almost anyone can apply to become a foster carer but some people rule themselves out of fostering thinking they do not have the right background, or experience, but all sorts of people can foster" Claire says.

"Important thing is to make the first step and contacting us with any questions or queries you have and we can help clear up the myths about fostering."

Ascileta finds it a great joy being a foster carer "Knowing you're making a difference in someone's life is amazing and seeing the change in them always makes me smile."

If you would like to know more information on fostering or adoption there is an open event taking place at Emmanuel Church in Weston Favell Shopping Centre on Monday 9th November 7pm- 9pm.

For more information on fostering or adoption check out the website. Alternatively call:

Fostering: 01604 236623

Adoption: 01604 704704