There is a distinct lack of foster parents based in the Isle of Man.

Currently, there are 42 fostering households providing care for 56 children, however more are needed.

Meanwhile, there are only around three local adoptions each year.

Manx Care is currently in the midst of recruiting permanent supervising social workers and a fostering team manager, who will ensure that the children and families service continues to develop.

Recruitment for these roles is reportedly going well and interviews are scheduled to take place early in 2022.

A spokesperson for Manx Care said: ’On the Isle of Man, Manx Care’s children and families team work with children and young adults who sadly, for a variety of reasons, can’t live with their birth parents or family members.

’Fostering placements are sought to support the children, with the team’s primary aim to reunite them with either birth parents or a family member or friend when and if it is safe and appropriate.

’Currently, more foster carers are needed to care for children aged from birth to 18 years old (plus older, if the young person wishes to remain in full-time education).

’The island does require more foster carers who can provide care for vulnerable children and young people, especially sibling groups and those with additional needs.

’As part of the fostering role, it is also vital that the fosterer can work alongside a wide range of professionals, including the birth family of the child/young person that they are caring for.

’It is a demanding role, but feedback from families is that it is incredibly rewarding!’

As with all aspects of life, the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the service.

This has been particularly felt in terms of how the team holds group training, information events and fostering/adoption panel meetings due to social distancing regulations.

Over the last 18 months, the team has had to become creative in terms of how it’s worked, for example, holding certain events virtually or having smaller groups attending training and information events, so that people can still socially distance.

In light of Covid, social workers continue to ensure that current Isle of Man Government guidelines and advice are followed when undertaking any visits to ensure that the carers, children and they themselves as individuals remain as safe as possible.

Teresa Cope, chief executive of Manx Care, said: ’The role of our children and families team is a vital part of what Manx Care’s social care directorate delivers here on the island.

’The team members all work hard to ensure the needs of the child or children remain at the forefront of everything they do, with a resourceful and flexible approach to parenting ensuring that the individual is offered security and stability.’

Information evenings are held regularly for anyone interested in fostering/adopting on the island.

If you are a foster parent or adoptive parent and would like to share your story, please email Isle of Man Newspapers at [email protected]