by Rosie Lewis, UnHerd
Ideological scrutiny is driving away carers
Fiona*, our new social worker, had checked the padlocked bolt on our garden-shed door; she had run her hand over our mattresses to make sure they were soft. Now she wanted to know where we stored our alcohol. “Doesn’t last long enough to need storing!” I joked. At the end of a long and rightly intensive recruitment process to become a foster carer, Fiona had been tasked with conducting a health and safety check on our home. When I took in her expression, my grin evaporated.
We were lucky that Gemma*, the social worker who had conducted the initial assessment a few months earlier, demonstrated a modicum of humour as she guided me through the process, intervening whenever I said the wrong thing.
“Do you have a diverse mix of toys?” she asked, when I told her that I was preparing to join the vacancy list.
“Oh yes, loads — boys’ and girls’ stuff,” I reassured her, thinking of my two birth children. She gave a cautionary shake of her head. “Well, I mean, girls can play with boys’ toys, of course, and vice versa,” I added hastily, cottoning on. “They can choose.”
“I think what you mean is,” Gemma said, the corner of her mouth twitching, “you believe children should be free to explore, without being limited by stereotypes. But also, do you have toys reflecting an appreciation and commitment to diversity?”
“Oh,” I said, looking at our pale-faced Barbies. “’Fraid not. But I can buy some.”
Gemma paused. “I won’t put that,” she said, pen hovering over her form. “Let’s just say you understand the importance of providing an environment that reflects a child’s cultural background, yes?”
“Absolutely,” I said, because I did.