A new fostering scheme aimed at providing specialist
placements for young people is looking for volunteers with
experience of children.
Ten foster carers are needed to provide a variety of placements
for children and teenagers who have additional needs, need
emergency placements or are at risk of offending.
We are hoping to recruit carers who have been working with
young people or have previously fostered, with the aim of providing
better opportunities for looked-after children.
Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, executive member with responsibility for
Children and Young People’s Services said the specialist placement
scheme was needed in order to provide a pool of carers with the
skills to specifically foster young people with the most
challenging behaviour.
"By offering specialist placements we will be able to tailor our
support for the needs of each young person, ensuring that they
receive the highest quality of care while also enabling them to
stay closer to their family and friends."
Foster carers who are approved for the scheme will receive a
package of 24-hour support including two weeks paid respite a year,
free access to North Somerset leisure facilities, free on-going
professional development and payment of up to £420 per week, per
placement.
Susannah Weeks, the social worker co-ordinating the scheme,
added: "This scheme is ideal for people with experience of
fostering or working with young people, and provides the
opportunity to move into a home-based vocation. I’m really excited
as the enhanced support package, training and allowances make this
a great option for people who want to foster as a career."
For more details about the specialist placement scheme or
general information on fostering, contact North Somerset Council on
01275 888 999 or visit
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering
