Recognising the kids who foster
The county council will be thanking the children of Warwickshire’s foster carers for the part they play in supporting looked after youngsters during a national campaign this week.
Warwickshire Fostering Service is using the Fostering Network’s annual Sons and Daughters Week (26-30 October) as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the role played by sons and daughters of foster carers.
The service has issued a special thank you card to each of the county’s 156 kids who foster. Additionally a special message will be included in their regular support newsletter which will also launch an art competition with a £30 prize.
The competition asks entrants of all ages to use their creativity to illustrate a view out of their window either actual or imaginary and the winner will be announced later in the year.
Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “Research shows that the relationship between a foster carer’s own children and the fostered children in their home can make or break a placement.
“Sons and daughters are directly involved in supporting placements in a number of ways and deserve this recognition. In addition to welcoming young people into their homes and sharing their friends and possessions, they frequently provide a lot of emotional support, listening to their problems and helping them adjust to their new lives.”
Kelly Furness from Warwickshire County Council’s Fostering Service said: “Warwickshire’s children who foster are really important people with vital roles to play in the lives of their foster brothers and sisters.
"Often they can feel that their views and opinions go unheard so we wanted to use this week to make sure they know how appreciated they are every day of the year.”
Warwick teenager Dani Brandrick’s parents have been foster carers for over 16 years so she knows what it is like to grow up as part of a fostering family.
Offering some advice to families thinking about fostering, she said: “Parents need to see fostering as a joint effort and should involve their kids in things as much as possible, particularly in making decisions.
“To the children I would say ‘if you’ve got a problem or your unsure about whether you want your family to foster or you don’t get on with someone placed with your family make sure you speak up - you need to be sure about the arrangement too”.
If you are interested to find out more about fostering opportunities in Warwickshire please contact the team on FREEPHONE 0800 408 1556 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering.