Warwickshire News Mine

Foster Care Fortnight is co-ordinated by UK charity the Fostering Network and runs from 16 to 27 May 2011. The campaign 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.

Depending on the needs of children, foster care placements can range from short term care for a couple of months 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.

In Warwickshire, carers currently provide homes for over 600 youngsters but the fostering team is looking for more people with the qualities required to look after and support children and young people from different backgrounds. They are particularly interested in talking to families able to offer permanent care and provide homes for teenagers.

Sylvia Vickers from Warwickshire 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.”

Coinciding with the fortnight, staff from Warwickshire Fostering Service will be out and about around the county to highlight the different fostering 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.

Members of the team will be on hand with friendly, informal advice at events on:

· Sunday 15 May - Kenilworth Festival Party in the Park - Abbey fields - 10.30am - 5pm

· Friday 20 May - Surgery session at Coleshill Library, Parkfield Road, 10am – 12pm

· Friday 20 May - Rope Walk Shopping centre, Nuneaton - 9am- 5pm

· Sunday 22 May - Stratford Civic Hall - Cultural event organised by Warwick District Faith Forum – 2pm-5pm

· Monday 23 May - Clock Towers Shopping Centre, Rugby - information available all day - staff available from 11am - 2pm

· Friday 27 May - Stratford Market, Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon - 9am - 4pm

Full training and support is given to carers, who are matched with the types of fostering that suits them the 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

Link to WCC