A Christian foster mother has won the right to be reinstated having been struck off after a Muslim girl in her care became a Christian. The foster mother, who had looked after more than 80 children in the last ten years and had an unblemished record, was removed by her local council who accused her of failing to preserve the girl’s religion and failing to prevent her from getting baptised.
The Muslim girl in question was sixteen at the time and had decided by her own initiative to become a Christian. The foster mother said that she had put no pressure on the girl and had even tried to discourage her initial interest. The girl was in care as she had been threatened with an arranged marriage and faced violence from her family.
The decision by Gateshead Council two years ago had forced the foster mother to move out of her home due to the loss of income from fostering. She said after the verdict: ‘In addition to losing the Muslim teenager, another girl I was looking after was taken back into care. And I lost the farmhouse I rented to look after vulnerable teenagers. Despite my experiences, I still hope to foster again in the future. I simply enjoy helping young people.’
Andrea Minichiello Williams commented: ‘We are pleased that the Court has seen fit to reinstate this foster mother after the unfair and disproportionate actions of the council. It is vital that we continue to stand up for freedom of religion in this country.’