Warwickshire County Council believes that every child has a right to family life.
Izzi Seccombe
A recruitment campaign to encourage people to become foster carers is being launched by Warwickshire County Council this month.
Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from 12-25 May, is a national initiative organised by the Foster Care Network to find urgently needed families for vulnerable children and young people.
Foster carers in Warwickshire currently provide homes for around 480 children and young people, and the County Council is launching a campaign to find 55 new recruits this year to provide a wide range of care.
To coincide with Foster Care Fortnight, staff from Warwickshire’s Fostering Service will be out and about around the county over the coming weeks highlighting the different types of foster care that are suited to a wide range of people.
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 service believes that there are many people across Warwickshire who have the potential to perform this worthwhile and vital role. Warwickshire County Council’s fostering team is keen to recruit carers who can look after children over 10, brothers and sisters, disabled children, children from other cultures and dual heritage children.
Izzi Seccombe, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Warwickshire County Council believes that every child has a right to family life. 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.”
Members of the foster care team will be on hand to give friendly, informal advice on:
Friday 16 May 2008 – Rope Walk Shopping Centre, Nuneaton 9am - 5.30pm
Friday 23 May 2008 – Tesco Stores, Birmingham Road, Stratford Upon Avon 1pm - 6pm
Friday 23 May 2008 – Health and Well-being Event at Rugby Library 1pm - 4.30pm
Bank Holiday Monday 26 May – Southam Carnival, Southam Recreation Ground 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 7 June 2008 – Atherstone Fun Day, Market Square, Atherstone 11am - 5pm
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 events please contact the team on 01926 413313 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering