13/5/2009 - Foster Care Fortnight 2009

Could you make a real difference to a child’s life in Cumbria ?

Have you thought of becoming a foster carer ?

Foster Care Fortnight runs to Sunday 24th May and we want to encourage people to think about fostering and the challenges and rewards it can bring.

There are currently about 260 foster carers in Cumbria and about 460 children who are looked after by Cumbria County Council.

We need to get more of those children living in a stable family environment.

You may have the skills and qualities which could make you a great foster carer.

Key qualities include being a great listener, having a good sense of humour, and having your feet on the ground. In the words of one Cumbrian foster carer, you need 'stickability. Always be there.'

Foster care has changed dramatically over the last thirty years.

Today it is a career, combining family life with a skilled profession.

Almost anyone can apply to be a foster carer, provided they have the right skills. There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. You might, for example, be married, single, cohabiting or divorced. You could be any age over 21. You must be able to offer time, commitment, space and skills to care for children separated from their own families.

Helen Smith, Head of Service, Child and Family Support, Cumbria County Council, said:

"We always need more carers, not least because we’d like to make sure children continue to live in their communities, go to the same schools and keep the same friends.

We know that looked after children have better outcomes if they are able to live in a stable family environment and this is why it is crucial that we recruit more foster carers throughout Cumbria."

And this year we are organising our own special Cumbrian fostering week, from 11 July. Watch out for events and a new advertising campaign around Cumbria.

If you would like to know more about fostering contact our teams around Cumbria; Carlisle 01228 227 180; Workington 01900 706356; Barrow 01229 407846 and Kendal 01539 713312 or log onto www.cumbria.gov.uk/fostering

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.