At least 20 more foster carers are needed to look after
the growing number of young people in care in North
Somerset.
In a bid to encourage more local people to foster, we
are supporting the Fostering Network’s national ‘Time to Care’
campaign, which runs from 16 to 29 May, with an information
roadshow.
The Fostering Network’s ‘Foster Care Fortnight’ is the UK's
biggest annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering. A new
survey indicates that teenagers especially are at risk of missing
out on stable family life due to a shortage of suitable foster
carers across the UK.
In response, we are holding six information stalls
around the local area, hosted by foster carers, social workers and
young people in care. These will culminate in an information
evening at Castle Batch Primary School in Weston-super-Mare on 26
May which will include a presentation on fostering and another
opportunity to meet carers.
We have also launched a dedicated
fostering
website, featuring real-life stories and detailed information
on what it takes to foster.
Kirsty Howie, Service Leader in Children and Young People's
Services, said: "We know that fostering isn’t a decision that
people take lightly. Most people mull it over for quite some time
before finally coming forward. But now really is the time to
care.
"The roadshow and our new website are designed to make it easy
for people to gain real insight into fostering, and to help them
come to a decision on whether it’s right for them."
Louise Calcutt has been a foster carer for two years. She said:
"What often stops people coming forward to foster is a concern
about what the children are really like. People hold a lot of
prejudices, particularly about teenagers. So our roadshow aims to
shine some light on that.
"Sure, some young people may test you to begin with, but they’re
looking to see if they can rely on you. They’ll soon settle down
once you’ve earned their trust, and that’s really rewarding. Come
and tell us your concerns, and we’ll let you know what it’s really
like."
Katie Warren went into foster care at 14 and is now working for
the council supporting young people who are currently in care. She
said: "You’ve got to have an open mind. Crucially, it’s about
letting them know that you’re not going to give up on them. That
way, you’ll make the difference that counts."
The roadshow kicks off with a stall at Worle High
Street on Wednesday (18 May) from 11.30am to 2.30pm,
outside Somerfield supermarket. It is followed by:
Nailsea Quadrant stall
Date: Thursday 19
May
Time: Lunchtime, 11.30am to 2.30pm
Venue: Nailsea Quadrant, outside Waitrose on the main square.
Weston Water Park stall
Date: Saturday 21
May
Time: All day, 10am to 4pm
Venue: Weston Water Park, on Weston seafront, next to Crazy Hills
golf
Activites: Face painting.
Clevedon Promenade stall
Date: Sunday 22
May
Time: All day, 10am to 4pm
Venue: Clevedon Promenade, near Salthouse Fields
Activities: Face painting.
Sovereign Centre stall
Date: Tuesday 24
May
Time: All day, 8am to 6pm
Venue: Sovereign Centre, Weston-super-Mare.
Morrisons supermarket stall
Date:
Wednesday 25 May
Time: Lunchtime, 11.30am to 2.30pm
Venue: Inside Morrisons supermarket, Summer Lane,
Weston-super-Mare.
Castle Batch information evening
Date:
Thursday 26 May 26
Time: 6.45pm to 8.30pm (including a 45-minute presentation at
7pm)
Venue: Castle Batch Primary School, Rawlins Avenue,
Weston-super-Mare, BS22 7FN.
More information is available at
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering or by
calling the fostering team on 01275 888 999.
We offer foster carers on-going training, practical and
therapeutic support, a weekly allowance to cover costs, plus fees.
No qualifications are required and anyone can foster, regardless of
age, background or sexuality. All you need is a spare room in your
home and a big heart.
The Fostering Network claims that, nationally, there are almost
6,000 more children in care on any one day than in 2007. Around
two-fifths of children in care in the UK are aged 11 to 15.
In North Somerset we currently have around 65 foster
families and there are 225 children in care, a nine per
cent rise over the last two-and-a-half years.
More children have come into care over the last few years as a
result of the ‘Baby P’ case and the Southwark Judgement which
requires local authorities to consider accommodating young people
aged 15+ previously referred to their housing department.
Provided you genuinely care about children and you have time to
spare in your day, fostering can provide a welcome additional
income for many individuals or families, especially now when many
people are looking for extra income.
