Become a foster carer and help make a difference

30 April 2004

A recruitment drive to find more foster carers to help make a difference to the lives of children and young people is being launched in the county. 

Derbyshire County Council social services is issuing the appeal to coincide with national Foster Care Fortnight which starts on Monday 10 May. Fostering open days will be held countywide throughout Foster Care Fortnight, and beyond, to help people find out more and talk to experienced foster carers and family placement team staff about all aspects of caring for youngsters. 

Social services currently looks after about 530 children and young people, of which 400 live in foster homes. Foster carers can come from all walks of life and be any age over twenty-one, married or single, working, unemployed or retired. The authority provides training, weekly allowances to cover all expenses, and back up and personal support from a fostering social worker. 

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for social care and health said: "Foster carers experience the best rewards imaginable by giving a child a loving and secure home. 

"There are many people in Derbyshire who may have thought about becoming foster carers and helping children thrive. 

"By teaming these people with the children and youngsters who would so dearly love a stable caring home we are able to enrich many lives. 

"We have fabulous foster carers across the county but we are always looking for more. Ideally we would like to build a surplus so children can choose the area where they stay and be close to their school or familiar environment. 

"I would urge anyone interested in becoming a foster parent to take action and come to one of our open events or contact us to find out more about how they can make a difference." 

Children looking for homes range from babies to teenagers, young people with disabilities or sibling groups. 

Fostering open days will take place at the following locations and dates: 

  • Matlock Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, 11 May, 11.30am until 3pm. 
  • Glossop Bradbury Community House, Market Street, 20 May, 10am until 2pm. 
  • Swadlincote Swadlincote Library, Civic Way, 15 June, 10am until 5pm. 
  • Amber Valley (in conjunction with Barnardo`s) Barnardo`s, Mundy Street, Heanor, 18 June, 10am until noon. 
  • Ilkeston, Ilkeston Library, Market Place, 19 June, 10am until noon. 

Open days will also be taking place at Buxton and Chesterfield, with locations, dates and times to be confirmed. 

Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can call the 24-hour Derbyshire fostering helpline on 01629 77 22 11, visit the Derbyshire County Council fostering website www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering (opens in a new window) or email fostering@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

A recruitment drive to find more foster carers to help make a difference to the lives of children and young people is being launched in the county. 

Derbyshire County Council social services is issuing the appeal to coincide with national Foster Care Fortnight which starts on Monday 10 May. Fostering open days will be held countywide throughout Foster Care Fortnight, and beyond, to help people find out more and talk to experienced foster carers and family placement team staff about all aspects of caring for youngsters. 

Social services currently looks after about 530 children and young people, of which 400 live in foster homes. Foster carers can come from all walks of life and be any age over twenty-one, married or single, working, unemployed or retired. The authority provides training, weekly allowances to cover all expenses, and back up and personal support from a fostering social worker. 

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council`s cabinet member for social care and health said: "Foster carers experience the best rewards imaginable by giving a child a loving and secure home. 

"There are many people in Derbyshire who may have thought about becoming foster carers and helping children thrive. 

"By teaming these people with the children and youngsters who would so dearly love a stable caring home we are able to enrich many lives. 

"We have fabulous foster carers across the county but we are always looking for more. Ideally we would like to build a surplus so children can choose the area where they stay and be close to their school or familiar environment. 

"I would urge anyone interested in becoming a foster parent to take action and come to one of our open events or contact us to find out more about how they can make a difference." 

Children looking for homes range from babies to teenagers, young people with disabilities or sibling groups. 

Fostering open days will take place at the following locations and dates: 

  • Matlock Imperial Rooms, Imperial Road, 11 May, 11.30am until 3pm. 
  • Glossop Bradbury Community House, Market Street, 20 May, 10am until 2pm. 
  • Swadlincote Swadlincote Library, Civic Way, 15 June, 10am until 5pm. 
  • Amber Valley (in conjunction with Barnardo`s) Barnardo`s, Mundy Street, Heanor, 18 June, 10am until noon. 
  • Ilkeston, Ilkeston Library, Market Place, 19 June, 10am until noon. 

Open days will also be taking place at Buxton and Chesterfield, with locations, dates and times to be confirmed. 

Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can call the 24-hour Derbyshire fostering helpline on 01629 77 22 11, visit the Derbyshire County Council fostering website www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering (opens in a new window) or email fostering@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

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