Families encouraged to consider fostering as more than half of parents across Greater Manchester face empty nest syndrome

According to a recent survey, 53% of parents across Greater Manchester with children who have either recently moved out or will be leaving home soon, agree that they suffered from or are expecting to suffer from empty nest syndrome.

This is a term which can refer to a feeling of loneliness, sadness and loss of purpose that some parents experience when their child moves out of the home.

This comes as record numbers of 18-year-olds are set to move out of home for university this autumn, leaving thousands of families with a potential spare room that could be offered to a child in care.

With more than 45,000 learners across the North West going to university this year, it would take just 3% of those students’ parents to meet the current shortfall of carers.

As the number of children entering the care system continues to rise, it is estimated that there are 1,330 foster homes currently needed across the North West region.

Foster carers are paid to look after children on a short or long term basis.

The survey, conducted by Safehouses Fostering, an independent fostering organisation and part of the Five Rivers social enterprise family - which is based in Oldham and has foster carers across Greater Manchester - is urging ‘empty nesters’ who are concerned about having feelings of loneliness and loss of purpose, to consider fostering children in need of a safe place to call home.

While some students will return home during the holidays and after university, empty nesters can still support vulnerable children and young people by exploring short break foster care or emergency foster care.

Safehouses Fostering is looking for individuals, couples and families across Greater Manchester who have a spare room and may be interested in becoming a foster carer.

There are a number of fostering roles available that vary in terms of length of commitment, including:

Short-term or short break foster carers - This can apply to an overnight stay or a period of a few weeks or months for when children or young people require time away from their birth families or existing care support.

Emergency foster carers – Emergency foster carers help bridge the gap between foster placements or reunification with friends, family or returning home.

Long-term foster carers – Carers who can provide comfort and stability to children and young adults who are unable to live with their families. Depending on individual circumstances, children and young adults can remain with long-term carers until the age of 18 or when they are able to live independently.

Commenting on the current need for foster carers across the North West, Wayne Brown, Fostering Service Manager at Safehouses Fostering, said: “We’re appealing to those parents across Greater Manchester who have children moving away to university in the coming weeks to ask if they’d consider caring for a child in need of a safe and loving home.

"With 60% of parents surveyed agreeing that the pandemic has increased their feelings about having an empty nest, we hope that people will see this as an opportunity not only to change a child’s life, but could also provide them with a new sense of purpose.

"Fostering is also beneficial to those who want to work from home and don’t want to be restricted by a 9-5 schedule.

“While potential long-term foster carers are crucial to supporting the thousands of children in care across the UK, the industry is underpinned by those offering emergency and short break foster care, whether it’s to cover a foster family over a weekend or to care for a child in an emergency situation in the middle of the night.

"Being an emergency foster carer or short-term foster carer with Safehouses Fostering offers career flexibility and 24/7 support from qualified and experienced staff and a wide range of specialist training.

“We’re keen to hear from people with space in their home and their hearts who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy supporting others, as well as anyone who has questions about fostering and the variety of roles available.”

People from across England, from all backgrounds and communities, can be considered to become foster carers, but they must be over 21 years of age.

This includes single people, co-habiting couples, LGBTQ+ couples and people living in rented accommodation.

You will need a spare room for each foster child.

You can find out more about fostering with Safehouses Fostering on 0161 825 7197, email: contact@safehousesfostering.org.uk or visit: https://safehousesfostering.org.uk/

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