Consider taking in an unaccompanied asylum seeking child

Melanie Murphy, Registered Manager at FCA Yorkshire & Lincolnshire said: “We wanted to shine a light on some of our amazing foster parents who have taken care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. We find that there can be a huge stigma attached to children who are seeking refuge, when really, they have endured hardships that we can barely start to understand. Our hope is that by opening up the conversation, and showing the healing impact that foster parents can have on these young people, we might start to see more people come forward and want to make that difference.”

David and Miranda Whittaker live in Hull and have been fostering for the last two and a half years. Miranda was formerly an independent reviewing officer, and so had worked closely with UASCs. She and husband David decided that they wanted to have more of an impact on these young people.

Miranda said: “After working closely with these children, I realised so much more about the journeys that they had been on and the support that they needed. They are just children, and have already been through so much, so they need people to show them kindness, compassion and a home when they arrive here.” David and Miranda work hard to strike a balance between integrating their children and young people into British culture and society, whilst ensuring that their own religious beliefs and identities are protected. David said: “All of our foster children have shared the same message with us. They are human. And they are just like everyone else. As foster parents, it’s our responsibility to help them. It is so rewarding when you can watch them grow, and develop and continue to learn more about the world, but in an entirely safe environment. It’s an amazing thing to do.”