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Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity The Fostering Network. This year’s national theme is ‘fostering communities’ and North Somerset Council is celebrating the strength and resilience of fostering communities by highlighting the work they do.
Events have been organised to inspire more people to become foster carers, while increasing awareness of the improved financial benefits. In February, North Somerset Council announced that foster carers approved by the local authority who live in the area no longer pay council tax and receive increased fostering payments.
On Sunday 21 May, over 60 people took part in a Fostering Walk in Clevedon. It was attended by North Somerset Council's fostering team and the wider children’s services team, as well as foster carers, children and young people. People also met the fostering team in-person at eat:Clevedon food festival on Saturday 20 May.
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council's Deputy Leader and executive member responsible for children’s services, said: "There's an ongoing need for more foster carers in North Somerset, particularly those who could care for children aged 11 and over, or brother and sister groups to keep siblings together.
“We’re developing and investing in our own in-house provision to increase local foster homes and allow a greater number of children in care to maintain such valuable links to their local networks, family, friends and communities.
"If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer to help a child reach their life goals, I encourage you to please step forward. We welcome people from all backgrounds, of all ages, genders, ethnicities, no matter your relationship status or sexual orientation. If you think you can make a difference to children’s lives, please get in touch.”
Those interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer should email fostering@n-somerset.gov.uk, call 01275 888 999 or visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering. Allowances and fees for foster carers are published online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fosteringallowances.
Also follow Fostering North Somerset on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fosteringnorthsomerset), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FosteringNS) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/Fosteringnorthsomerset).