With Foster Carer Fortnight starting this week, North East Lincolnshire Council is celebrating the stories behind it’s foster carers.
To mark the national milestone, the Council has planned activities throughout the two-week period, including a coffee morning for foster carers, recruitment drop-in sessions across the borough, and a Facebook Q&A session for those interested in becoming a foster carer.
According to the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, there were more than 40,000 foster families across the UK last year, caring for an estimated 57,000 children.
These foster carers provide a safe, loving home for children, giving them an environment where they can grown and thrive.
In North East Lincolnshire, there has been a recent drive for more foster carers, with the launch of the foster-friendly business initiative. The Council-led scheme encourages businesses to offer extra support to employees who are also foster carers or offer packages of support and discounts to customers who are foster carers, recognising their commitment with a unique kitemark.
Speaking ahead of Foster Carer Fortnight, North East Lincolnshire Council’s portfolio holder for children and education, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, said she continued to be impressed by the commitment shown by our foster carers.
“They’re brilliant. Absolutely brilliant people. In my time as portfolio holder I’ve met a number of our foster carers and can honestly say that the dedication that they show towards safeguarding the future of our young people is commendable.
“It doesn’t take much to become a foster carer, but to really commit to helping a young person to settle and then go on to really make a success of themselves takes passion and vigour, and that continues to impress me.
“I would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch with our fostering team.”
The team are to host a virtual Q&A on the Council’s Facebook page this week, giving residents the chance to put their questions to a member of the Council’s fostering team and a current foster carer.
The Q&A session will take place on Thursday 16th May from 5pm to 6pm. To tune in, visit www.facebook.com/NELCouncil.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering.
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