A career that changes lives
Warwickshire County Council is supporting a national recruitment campaign launching this week to encourage people to consider a career in fostering.
The Foster Care Fortnight campaign co-ordinated by UK charity the Fostering Network runs from 11 - 24 May 2009. The campaign message ‘a career that changes lives’ aims to raise awareness of fostering and asks people to look at the skills and qualities they have which could make them a great carer.
Coinciding with the fortnight, staff from Warwickshire Fostering Service will be out and about around the county over the coming weeks to highlight the different career options suited to a wide range of people.
The events will provide an opportunity for members of the public to meet existing foster carers and learn more about this rewarding and life changing career as well as the benefits and responsibilities involved in being a foster carer.
Depending on the needs of children, foster care placements can range from just one weekend a month to others that last for many years. As a result, the fostering team believes that there are many people with the potential to perform this worthwhile and vital role.
In Warwickshire carers currently provide homes for around 520 children and young people but the county council’s fostering team is looking for more people with the qualities required to look after and support children and young people from different backgrounds.
Sylvia Vickers from the Fostering Service explains: “Within Warwickshire and across the UK, more foster carers are needed to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families. To become a carer what matters most is time, space, commitment, patience, a caring nature and skills to work with children and their families.
“We are looking to recruit carers who are single or couples; with or without children, retired, unemployed or working, so we can find the best match. We are especially keen to speak to anyone who can look after teenagers, brothers and sisters, disabled children, children from other cultures and dual heritage children. Under the new Staying Put 18+ Scheme launched this month we are also looking for carers who can provide a family home to young adults aged 18-21 (24 in some circumstances) who have previously been in care.”
Member of the team will be on hand with friendly, informal advice at events on:
Saturday 9th May 2009 Atherstone Carnival – Royal Meadow Drive
Friday 15th May 2009 – 10.30am and 2 pm at Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (Rugby CVS) at 19 and 20 North Street, Rugby, CV21 2AG.
Friday 15th May 2009 – Rope Walk Shopping Centre, Nuneaton 9am - 5.30pm
Monday 18th May from 4.30-7pm - Staying Put 18+ Family Placement surgery session at Leamington Library on the Parade
Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2009 Southam Carnival, Southam Recreation Ground 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June 2008 – Leamington Peace Festival, Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa 11am - 5pm
Full training and support is given to carers, who are matched to one of the 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 attend event please contact the team on 0800 4081556 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering
For more information about Foster Care Fortnight and the Fostering Network please visit http://www.fostering.net