Foster Care Fortnight

As I write this we are in the middle of Foster Care Fortnight 2016. 

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. Established for almost 20 years, the campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports fostering services to highlight the need for more foster carers. 9,070 new foster families are needed in the next 12 months alone to care for a range of children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children 

At any one time Suffolk County Council has around 750 children in care who need people to provide them with a safe and stable home.  Anyone can apply to be a foster carer whether they are single or married, own their own home or not.  All they need is to be able to offer space in their home and time in their lives for a child.  Teenage children are particularly in need of foster carers to support them through difficult years. 

I am not sure whether being a foster parent should be regarded as a ‘career’, but it is certainly a worthwhile supported occupation through which people give something back to the community. All foster carers receive financial allowances to look after the children in their care as well as payment for the time spent carrying out their role as a foster carer. It is a good way to allow people to work at home, and could even provide a new way ahead for someone looking to change direction.

Foster carers in Suffolk are participating in a success story.  The fact is that Suffolk is good at looking after children in need.  In February the authority’s Children’s Services were rated as Good by OFSTED, only one of 17 out of 83 authorities to be so judged.

The inspector praised our social workers for their work in keeping children in care safe. They were commended for knowing children well and understanding their needs.  Children and their families were considered to receive a timely and comprehensive early help service.  In particular OFSTED recognised the good support given to children that need foster carers or who are seeking adoption.

To find out more about fostering contact our Recruitment Team on 01473 264800 or visit https://www.fosterandadopt.suffolk.gov.uk  you can also enquire about becoming a foster carer online via – https://www.fosterandadopt.suffolk.gov.uk/contact-us