05/05/04 - Foster carer recruitment launch at Dock Museum

At 1.00pm on Saturday 8 May at the Dock Museum, North Road, Barrow in Furness, Jim Webster, Vice-Chairman of Cumbria County Council launches the latest drive for foster carers in South Cumbria.

County Councillor Jim Webster says,

“There is a pressing need for foster carers in Cumbria generally and more specifically here in the Barrow area.  Children in the care system are often the most vulnerable in society.  It is vital that we do all that we can to maximise their life chances and ensure that they get the same opportunities for happiness and fulfilment as any other children.  One of the ways we can achieve this goal isby providinga diverse range of foster homes that can meet the different needs of children who are looked after.  Providing that carewithin their local environment maintain simportant links with schools, parents, extended families and friends.  Cumbria County Council is committed to supporting vulnerable children.  I hope this event ensures that more people are aware of what it means to be a foster carer and choose to find out more.”

The needs of children in the care system can range from a period of respite care enabling their families to overcome temporary difficulties, to the provision of a permanent alternative family with little or no contact with their birth families.  Foster carers are very special people because they open up their homes and their hearts to support children in need.  They are also ordinary people and many of them might never have considered themselves able to undertake this task.  County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social services says,

“There is no doubt that being a foster carer is demanding, stressful and sometimes heart rending but foster carers themselves are often the first people to emphasise that it is the most rewarding thing they have ever donein their lives.

In March 2003 339 children were cared for on a full time basis in Cumbrian foster homes.  Figures in January 2003 show that there were 265 foster carers in Cumbria.  Of these 21 were specialist foster carers, 104 offered short-term care and 104 offered permanent or long-term care.  It is easily to see that seen that demand is often greater than supply.”

The launch event on Saturday will include music from the Barrow Youth Brass Band and craft activities for children and families.  Members of the Family Placement Team will be around all day to speak with anyone who wants to know more about fostering and adoption.  Anyone who can’t get to the Dock Museum but wants to find out more about fostering and adoption can contact their local family placement team on

Kendal (01539) 773312                      Barrow (01229) 894862

Alternatively you can check out their brand new fostering and adoption website on the Cumbria Social Services website. 

Cumbria Social Services website