People interested in becoming foster carers can find out more about this vital role at a special Fostering Friday event taking place today (7 April, 2017).
Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Fostering for Wolverhampton team, along with local foster care champions, will be in Queen Square on the Fostering for Wolverhampton recruitment bus from 10am to 4pm, to have an informal chat with anyone considering becoming a foster carer.
Foster families are helping to give scores of children in Wolverhampton the best possible future by offering them a supportive environment and a loving home.
But more foster carers are urgently needed as there are dozens of children waiting for a home, and the Fostering for Wolverhampton team are keen to hear from individuals and couples who want to make a difference to a local child.
The support available to foster carers in Wolverhampton from the council was praised by Ofsted in its recent inspection of Children’s Services, which it judged “Good”.Inspectors found that “foster carers talk very positively about the quality and flexibility of the support they receive”, while the council is “delivering improved outcomes for children and young people”.
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster carers who combine a desire to help children with a commitment to providing the best possible care, but we have more youngsters who are looking for a foster home.
“Fostering can truly be a life-changing experience, both for foster carers and the young person they care for. We'd love to hear from people who have both a spare room and of course love in their heart to help local children by fostering, and in return can offer high quality support to help them carry out this vital role.”
Foster carers can be sole carers, married or in a relationship – and they won't be on their own as help and support is available 24 hours a day. They will receive six months' “buddy support” from experienced foster carers who are there to befriend and guide them through the system.
Supervising social workers provide intensive support for the first six weeks of a placement and then every month thereafter, while foster carers can get help through a peer support network.
Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and carers receive a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.
As well as the Fostering Friday drop-in event, people can also find out more about becoming a foster carer by visiting www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/fostering or by calling 01902 551133.
The Fostering Friday event is just one of a series of free events to support local people during Residents Week (1-7 April).
