Could YOU foster a child?
15/05/2007
Thousands of children across the UK face uncertain futures - futures which could so easily be changed forever by one phone call from a potential foster carer. Foster Care Fortnight's annual campaign aims to raise awareness of fostering and is an ideal opportunity for anyone considering fostering to get in touch with their local fostering service. And mature foster carers are especially welcomed, as they are more likely to have had first-hand experiences of bringing up their own children.
Marilyn Mayer, from Stoke on Trent City Council's Fostering Team said: "With over 10,000 foster parents still needed across the UK, I would urge anyone just to pick up a phone, make a call, and find out what's involved. You could change a child's life for ever."
Foster carers are urgently needed for babies, toddlers, pre-school children and especially teenagers aged 11-16 years from all different ethnic groups. You don’t have to have a big house, be in employment, be a couple, or have children of your own. And it doesn’t matter if you are married, divorced, single or living with your partner.
Foster carers are needed for children and young people for a variety of reasons; some stay for very short periods (one or two days); others need to live with foster carers for a few weeks or months and some young people need families they can live with until they are ready for independence. Foster carers are also needed for regular weekend care for children whose families need support.
Family difficulties led to Simon, now 20, spending four years in the care system in a succession of placements that were outside of the city of Stoke-on-Trent - because there was a lack of foster carers for teenagers locally. Sadly, once out of the city and separated from his friends and family Simon felt estranged and attempted to get home by any means he could. This eventually resulted in his spending time in a Young Offenders Unit. Had a foster family been available in Simon’s home town things might have turned out so differently.
But Louisa, now eighteen, went into foster care at the age of seven and remained with her carers until July last year when she finished her college training scheme and entered full time employment. She remains in contact with her carers to this day, and the stability, support and guidance they gave her has been invaluable in helping her ‘get on’ in life.
All potential foster carers undertake a comprehensive training programme based on the Fostering Network’s ‘Skills to Foster’ training course, and a wide range of courses are also provided to help carers develop their skills throughout their fostering careers.
Foster carers also receive a generous package of support including a financial allowance to cover the cost of caring for the child and regular meetings with a designated social worker and other foster carers. And opportunities are available to gain childcare qualifications and carers may receive fees in addition to the children's allowances which reflect this level of skill.
During Foster care Fortnight there will be events all over the UK where you will have the opportunity to meet people who are currently fostering and caring for local children. They will share some of their experiences and answer any questions you may have.
For more information call 0800 130 0870, or visit the link below. Please mention the Mature Times.