We are aiming to attract more local people into
fostering during Foster Care Fortnight from 11 - 24
May.
There are currently 81 foster carers and 22 Family Link carers
in North Somerset looking after 133 children and young people of
all ages.
More people are needed to come forward to provide children with
safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own
families.
Each carer's skill is assessed and carers are paid a fee
according to their skill level and an age-related allowance for the
child. There is ongoing support and comprehensive training to
develop carers' knowledge and skills.
Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, executive member for children and young
people's services, said: "Carers can be single or in a couple and
there is no upper age limit, although you do have to be over
the age of 21. You do not need to own your own home and it doesn't
matter if you already have your own children at home.
"What you do need is to be healthy, have the space and capacity
to care and the willingness to learn through training and work with
professionals as part of a team.
"We have been successful in recruiting a number of new foster
carers over the last few years, but we, and most importantly the
children and young people in our care, need more."
Foster Care Fortnight is a UK-wide campaign co-ordinated by
fostering charity the Fostering Network. It aims to raise awareness
of fostering and highlight the shortage of foster carers across the
UK, especially for teenagers, and sibling groups.
During the fortnight the council will be encouraging the public
to find out more about fostering and becoming a foster carer.
If you are interested in being a foster carer in North Somerset
please telephone 01275 888 999, email
fostering@n-somerset.gov.uk
or visit
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering