The Muslim Fostering Project Report Launch
Supported by BCBN, The Fostering Network embarked on a national programme in partnership with Mercy Mission UK and My Foster Family, which aimed to highlight areas of challenge in the current system and encourage greater emphasis on elements of faith and identity when placing a Muslim child with a foster family.
For many fostered children and young people, their foster family will provide them with their first experience of loving, stable and positive family life. Foster carers are trained and supported to help these children work through the difficulties of their early years, and to help them transform their lives.
The ‘Muslim Fostering Project’ report was launched to:
- Identify the number of Muslim children being fostered at any
one time; - Build a picture of the number of Muslim children being placed
with non-Muslim foster carers, and the reasons behind these
decisions; - Build a picture of the experiences of Muslim foster carers
and those who enquire but do not proceed to become foster
carers; - Explore the recruitment and retention of Muslim foster carers,
highlighting barriers and identifying good practice; and - Review existing resources, training and support available
for non-Muslim foster families who foster Muslim children to
identify if fit for purpose.
The experience of the Muslim community in England that were outlined in the report explored the following:
- Understanding the Islamic mandate for the care of children
- Childhood and the forming of identity
- Identity and the looked-after child
- Religious practice and culture
- Social worker matching
- Cultural competence, confidence & humility of all those involved in fostering
Key findings:
- 80% of applicants from the Muslim community did not go past the initial hiring stage to foster a child
- In some areas, up to 90% of Muslim children were placed away from their faith group.
The full report and literature review are available at: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/muslimfostering-project-report
