Find out more about fostering in Atherstone
Staff from Warwickshire’s Fostering Service will be getting into the party spirit with an information stand at Atherstone Carnival on Saturday 9 May.
Members of the foster care team will be on hand throughout the day to give friendly, informal advice about how to become a carer at the event on Royal Meadow Drive.
Foster carers in Warwickshire currently provide homes for around 520 children and the county’s Fostering Service is seeking new carers. Warwickshire County Council’s fostering team is particularly keen to recruit carers who can look after teenagers, brothers and sisters, disabled children, children from black and Asian communities and dual heritage children.
Kelly Furness from Warwickshire’s Fostering Service said: “Warwickshire County Council believes that every child has a right to family life. If you would like to have an informal chat about fostering in Warwickshire please come and visit us on the stand.”
She added: “We are looking for carers who are single or couples; with or without children, retired, unemployed or working, so we can find the best match for every child. What matters most is that you have time, space, commitment, patience, a caring nature and skills to work with children and their families.”
There are a number of different types of foster care, depending on the needs of children. They include short-term placements that require a commitment of one weekend a month to others that last for many years.
As a result, a wide range of different people are needed to perform this vital role.
Full training and support is given to carers, who are matched to one of six different schemes, depending on what suits them best. Carers are paid an allowance that reflects the real cost of looking after a child.
If you are interested but cannot visit the stall please contact the team on 01926 413313 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering.