From foster care in Newport to foster services in Blackburn, the UK’s councils and fostering agencies are trying to raise awareness about the great need for foster parents and the difference that fostering makes. Foster Care Fortnight, held recently on Monday 12 May to Friday 23 May, aimed to raise awareness of this vital work.
What Is Foster Care Fortnight?
Services delivering foster care Newport and across the UK are working together to promote the power of fostering, and this year’s theme was ‘the power of relationships’. Foster Care Fortnight is the biggest awareness-raising campaign on fostering in the UK, and it was originally set up by the Fostering Network to raise the profile of fostering and the need to recruit more carers. At the same time, the event celebrates foster carers who are already making a difference in their local community.
What Happened During the Event?
Various events were held to raise awareness, supported by arts exhibitions that showcased the creativity and insight of foster carers, staff who support foster services and the children and young people that they support. The hope is that the extra awareness will help encourage more people to enquire about becoming a foster carer and boost the number of qualified foster carers who can take children and young people into their home.
Who Can Become a Foster Carer?
People aged 20 plus with a spare bedroom and the time and passion needed to welcome a young person into their home can apply to become a foster carer. It is usually done as a full-time job, with pay and various allowances, but some people can also do it whilst retaining their existing jobs. All kinds of people are needed to foster, and the services across the UK are trying to increase diversity to represent the children that are supported through the service and to ensure anyone with an interest in fostering is supported to do so. Full training, financial support, networking, and ongoing help, advice, and community are provided so that foster carers never feel alone.