You could be a foster carer
A hunt for new foster carers has been launched in Warwickshire to coincide with national Foster Care Fortnight.
People who are prepared to give a home to looked-after children are being sought all over the county.
In particular, it is hoped to attract new carers in the Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Warwick and Leamington areas.
There are a number of different types of foster care, depending on the needs of children. Warwickshire County Council’s fostering team is keen to recruit carers who can look after teenagers, provide short breaks for children with disabilities and also seeking people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. In addition, people who can take on more than one child, to save brothers and sisters being separated, are also being recruited.
Currently, almost 300 foster carers accommodate just under 500 children in the county.
Training and support is given to carers, who are matched to one of six different schemes, depending on what suits them best.
Sylvia Vickers, Foster Care Marketing and Training Manager, said: “Fostering is a way of offering children and young people a home while their own parents are unable to look after them. This is often a temporary arrangement, and many fostered children return to their own families. Children who cannot return home and still want to stay in touch with their families often live with a long-term foster carer’.
“Foster carers find their roles very fulfilling. They help children in their care through the good times and the bad times. Warwickshire foster carers value the support they receive and are happy to share their experiences with people thinking of getting involved.”
For more information about becoming a foster carer, please call Sylvia on 01926 413313 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering