North East Lincolnshire Council is proud to support this year’s Foster Care Fortnight, to raise the profile of foster care and show how it transforms the lives of children and young people. The Council is looking for local people to offer full-time time or short stay homes for children and young people from our area.
Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign by the national Fostering Network. This year’s theme ‘#WhyWeCare’ was decided upon by foster carers, children, and young people, who want the fostering community to step up and tell the world #WhyWeCare.
Every 20 minutes another child comes into care in the UK. Foster carers are people like you who are paid to look after someone else’s child when their family is not able to. Sometimes children only stay with a foster family for a few days, while others will live with their foster family for their entire childhood and beyond.
Despite the trauma and very difficult start life experienced by many children coming into care, foster carers from our area have already given so many local children a chance to recover and flourish. They have often given them their first positive experience of family life.
Too many children who need care are being placed away from North East Lincolnshire because we haven’t enough places for them nearby. Having local foster carers means that children can stay in the area, near their friends, their schools and the things that are familiar to them.
There is no one type of person or family that is the ‘ideal’ foster carer, and the cared-for children are diverse with many different needs. All foster carers are paid a weekly allowance for each child they look after, but foster carers do not need professional qualifications. Anyone over the age of 21 can apply. Foster carers don’t need to be in a couple and can have their own children or none, be renters, homeowners, employed, unemployed, older, retired and from all ethnic or religious backgrounds and sexualities.
North East Lincolnshire Council needs carers across the following areas:
- Short term
- Short stay/respite
- Long term
- Children with disabilities
- Sibling groups
- Teenagers
- Supported lodging – 16 to 18 year olds.
Cllr Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for children, education and skills said:
“Foster carers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things every day. Foster care doesn’t just transform the lives of the young people who are fostered, it also has the power to change the lives of foster carers and their families.
“In recent years, many brilliant local carers have retired, or have had children placed with them long term, and so our care places have reduced. We know that there are many amazing people out there who have space in their life, their heart, and their family to help transform the like of a local child and, if that’s you, we would like you to get in touch.
“We know that fostering is a big, life-changing decision and our fostering team are happy to answer any questions people might have before deciding to take the next step.
“The service they provide is excellent, and those who decide to go and join our brilliant team of local carers will be given guidance, support, training and the opportunity to buddy up with experienced staff or carers”.
For further information or to speak to the team visit nelincs.gov.uk/fostering or call 01472 323966. Or register for one of our next virtual information events 18 May at 10am or 23 June at 2pm – using the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/north-east-lincolnshire-council-12790924070
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