Aroundtown Magazine Winter 2022 edition

FAMILY
It takes a huge amount of courage to start
the fostering journey, but once you have you
won’t regret it.
The feeling of helping to change
a child’s life is likely to be like nothing
else you have ever experienced
For most people, being able
to make a positive difference to a
vulnerable child or young person
is the main reason behind them
“
All that matters
is that you are
passionate about
helping others
and ready to
make a real
difference in a
young person’s
life.
”
becoming a foster carer.
People who become foster
carers come from a wide range of
backgrounds and circumstances,
which is the same for the children
that they look after.
There is no upper age limit to
becoming a foster carer. Provided
you are over the age of 21 you are
eligible to become a foster carer. You
don’t need to own your own home,
you just need to have a spare room.
It doesn’t matter if you are
single, married, living together, or
in a same sex relationship. All that
matters is that you are passionate
about helping others and ready to
make a real difference in a young
person’s life.
Fostering is a popular path for
parents whose children have left
home and who are looking for a way
to help out while filling empty rooms
in their home. However, you don’t
have to have your own children in
order to be accepted.
You don’t need any qualifications
or previous experience in childcare.
The only qualities that most foster
care agencies look for are patience,
empathy and resilience to be able
to support a child who may have
complex emotional needs.
The number of foster parents is
at an all-time low, but children are
still coming into care. If you’ve ever
thought about giving a child the
gift of a new start, now is the time
to take the first step and start your
fostering journey.
If you think you could provide a
home for South Yorkshire children
and young people who cannot live
with their birth families, there are
many agencies you can apply with.
The initial process can take up
to six months to complete, once
all checks, assessments and
training have been completed, so if
becoming a foster carer is something
you are interested in for 2022,
then don’t delay making that first
phone call.
Could you be the
next volunteer
advisor at Rotherham
Citizen Advice?
We are recruiting now!
If you want to make a real difference to people’s
lives by helping them with the problems they face,
then come and join our volunteer team.
Find out more
Email volunteer@citizensadvicerotherham.org.uk
or complete the application form at
www.citizensadvicerotherham.org.uk/volunteer
Fostering Agency
Could you provide a secure and loving
home for looked after children?
No previous experience or
Inclusive and engaging
Become a foster carer and discover the rich rewards
qualifications are needed as full working environment with
and personal training and satisfaction support is given that comes regular with sta caring meetings for
and nurturing a child whilst being part of Ivy House’s
All roles are home based so
Weekly wellbeing sessions such
supportive fostering community.
wherever you live you can join as quizzes and interest groups
You and our your team. All family advice are is given the via roots to Minimum the success of one day of
a child’s the growth phone or video and development.
conferencing.
commitment each week
All new advisers are given full
Then telephone or call in to see us Meet for new an people informal & learn
training and support
chat with no commitment needednew skills in a fun, inclusive
environment
Drop in Days
Friday 21st January 10-2pm
Friday 18th February 10-2pm
Monday 21st March 10-2pm
Take your first step to becoming part of Ivy House’s
supportive fostering community .
T: 01909 768318 E: info@ivyhousefostering.co.uk
www.ivyhousefostering.co.uk
The Turbine Business Centre, Coach Close, Shireoaks, S81 8AP
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk 41