The Muslim Fostering Project (2017-2019)
In 2017, BCBN in partnership with The Fostering Network and Mercy Mission UK launched the Muslim Fostering Project with the aim to identify and address challenges that affect Muslim children in care across the country. The Muslim Fostering Project is now known as ‘My Foster Family’, a rapidly growing organisation that supports the needs of all potential BAME foster carers. The Project has reached out to more than 2000 individuals considering fostering as well as children living in care.
On the 25th of November 2019, The Fostering Network launched the ‘Muslim Fostering Project’ Report, funded by the BCBN. The report
The Fostering Network embarked on a national programme, funded by BCBN, 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. On the 25th of November 2019, 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.
Muslim Fostering Project Report (2019)
Literature review
One of the primary tasks undertaken within the project was to conduct a literature review on what information already existed on the experience of Muslim children in foster care and Muslim foster carers, identifying the following key themes:
- Understanding the experience of Muslim looked after children.
- Understanding the outcomes for Muslim children in foster care in England.
- Supporting non-Muslim foster carers who care for Muslim children and young people.
- Rejecting or rebelling against a culture or identity.
Download the literature report
Final report
The Muslim Fostering Project report summarises the findings of the project and highlights the importance of training and support for non-Muslim foster carers looking after Muslim children. Recommendations include:
- Fostering services should consider how fostering service staff are trained and supported to conduct initial visits and assessment of Muslim applicants to fostering.
- Fostering services should review their recruitment literature and assess how it responds to the needs of a prospective Muslim foster carer and the wider Muslim community.
- The importance of collecting data about the number of Muslim looked after children and how a child or young person’s faith is taken into account when being placed with a foster family.
- Fostering services should identify the resources needed for its foster carers caring for a child with a different faith to their own.
Download The Muslim Fostering Project report
Read The Muslim Fostering Project report synopsis
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