Find out about fostering in Stratford
Visitors to Stratford Christmas market can take a break from shopping to find out more about fostering options next week.
Warwickshire County Council’s Fostering Service will be manning a stall all day at the market in Bridge Street, Stratford on Thursday 26 November. Members of the team will be giving out friendly and informal information and advice to anyone interested in finding out more about what it takes to be a foster carer.
Foster carers in Warwickshire currently provide homes for around 500 children and the county’s Fostering Service is seeking new foster carers. The team is particularly keen to hear from those who can look after teenagers, siblings, disabled children, and dual heritage children.
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.
Kelly Furness from Warwickshire’s Fostering Service, said: “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.”
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 0800 4081556 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering