A coalition of charities and local authorities hailed the success of an event to boost fostering within the Orthodox Jewish community. Fostering in the Community, held last Wednesday at Hasmonean Boys School, in Hendon, was organised by a partnership group which included charities Norwood and Ezer Leyoldos and fostering services at the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Hackney.
The event was planned in response to a small but pressing need for foster carers within the Orthodox Jewish communities and beyond of north-west and north-east London. In recent years, there have been a small number of cases where local authorities have identified a need for Orthodox Jewish foster carers but have struggled to find suitable homes.
The event, attended by more than 30 members of the public, aimed to generate a pool of approved foster carers for local authorities searching for placements for Jewish children in need of a safe and loving home. During the evening, guests heard moving testimonies from existing foster carers and powerful rallying cries from community leaders Rabbi Avraham Pinter, Rabbi Shimon Winegarten and Rabbi Alan Plancey, who was recently appointed to Norwood’s Advisory Council.
Karen Goodman, Head of Children’s Services at Norwood, said: “Norwood prides itself on being a safety net providing support to the entire Jewish community and strives to establish closer relationships between Orthodox Jewish communities and local authorities.
“We are delighted to be involved in this innovative partnership initiative, which has brought together the key players in support of our community. The event far exceeded our expectations and we have already been approached by several families interested in becoming foster carers.
“We believe it is vitally important that Jewish children who are not able to remain with their birth families receive culturally appropriate support in a safe and loving family life. We are here to support the process to ensure that the children who need such care are placed with appropriate Jewish families.”
Jewish families interested in becoming foster carers should contact Norwood, which will then support them through an assessment process arranged by their local authorities. For more information, call Deborah Goulden on 020 8420 6909 or e-mail deborah.goulden@norwood.org.uk
