GL7 May 2019

FAMILY
Could
you
foster?
Foster carers are part of what’s called “the team around the child”. As we approach
Foster Care Fortnight, between 13th and 26th May, we encourage you to consider it.
E
very year thousands of new foster
carers are needed to help young
people to flourish in life. Perhaps
you could be one of them?
Anne says she felt fostering was “something I
needed to do” and she has done emergency,
short-term, respite and parent and child fostering,
for everything from one night to four years.
More than 65,000 children currently live with
almost 55,000 foster families across the UK. This
equates to nearly 80% of the 83,000 children in
care away from home on any one day in the UK.
She adds: “You need to be calm and understanding
and willing to try. For some of these children,
nobody has ever tried. You can’t change their past
but you might be able to change their future.”
The Fostering Network estimates that fostering
services need to recruit a further 6,800
foster families in the next 12 months.
Foster Care Fortnight is the charity’s
annual campaign to raise the profile of
fostering and help recruit families.
The campaign, which has been running
for almost 20 years, showcases the
commitment, passion and dedication
of foster carers. Thousands of new foster
families are needed every year, with the
greatest need being help for older children, sibling
groups, disabled children and unaccompanied
asylum seeking children. Foster carers come from
all walks of life and all backgrounds.
Anne from Cirencester has been fostering for
Gloucestershire County Council since 2012. She
has three adult children and three grandchildren
and has experience of working as a teaching
assistant in a school.
“ You need to
be calm and
understanding
Thousands of new foster families are needed
every year to care for children, with the
greatest need being for foster carers for
older children, sibling groups, disabled
children and unaccompanied asylumseeking
children.
All are welcome as potential foster
carers – all that matters is that you can
provide a stable and caring environment
for a foster child. You don’t need to be
married or in a relationship, or to own your
own home, and your sexual orientation or any
disability should not hinder your application.
Whichever route you choose, you should rest
assured there is a support network to help anyone
who is committed and willing to foster a child.
● To find out more about becoming a foster carer,
visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering/
and sign up for updates. There’s more info too at
www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk
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