Fostering Sikh children

Children who enter foster care come from various cultures and religions. Although fostering agencies will seek to match children with carers and families of a similar or shared background, this isn’t always a possibility.

At Beacon Fostering, we seek to ensure that foster carers know how to support the beliefs of a child from a different faith. Here’s what you need to know if your child follows Sikhism.

Celebrations

Sikh celebrations include the birthday of founder Guru Nanak in November, Vaisakhi in April (a harvest festival). In December, Sikhs celebrate the martyrdom of the Sahibzade, four princes and the sons of the 10th guru, Gobind Singh. The two older sons are remembered on the 21st December, while the younger ones are remembered on the 26th.

Finding your local community

It helps to look for where your local gurdwara – a Sikh place of worship – is, and you can take your foster child there.

Here, Sikhs learn about their faith and celebrate events such as weddings and initiations. You can meet other Sikh families, and your child will be introduced to people with the same beliefs.

Food

Alcohol is forbidden, and initiated Sikhs are not permitted to eat halal or kosher meat (or any meat slaughtered in a ritualistic manner).
Despite gurdwaras only serving vegetarian-friendly food, it’s not mandatory, and Sikhs can choose whether to eat meat or a plant-based diet.

The five K’s

These are five items that symbolise their religious identity and commitment to faith. They are kesh (uncut hair), kanga (a comb worn in the hair), kara (a steel or iron bracelet), kachera (undergarment) and kirpan (a curved sword).

Getting to know your foster child’s faith will help them feel more at ease in their new home.