Warwickshire News Mine

Staff from the county council service will be around to chat informally with people about fostering options at their stall between 11am and 5pm on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June in the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa.

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 across Warwickshire who have the potential to perform this worthwhile and vital role.

Kelly Furness from Warwickshire’s Fostering Service said: “In Warwickshire, carers currently provide homes for around 520 children and young people.  Fostering is a valuable role and can be a very rewarding for carers and their families. My colleagues and I are looking forward to meeting people at the event to tell them more about how they can get involved.

“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 last 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.”

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

Link to WCC