To coincide with National Storytelling Week (29 Jan to 5 Feb), South Gloucestershire Council has launched a campaign to recruit new foster carers and find loving homes for children and young people in care. National Storytelling Week is The Society for Storytelling’s annual campaign to celebrate the power of stories, so foster carers and members […]
Fostering services across the country are joining together for the national release of a new short film commissioned by the largest collaboration of local councils and children’s trusts from all over England. The unique film project, developed by the West Midlands Regional Fostering Recruitment Forum is now working with councils around the country who have […]
Tracey and John have been fostering for South Gloucestershire Council for the past four years, we spoke to them about their role as foster carers and asked them to share with us their experience of caring for their first foster child. Our very first child joined us as an emergency placement, he is now 12 […]
We’ll make sure you receive lots of support and on-going training to provide the best possible care. As the Training Officer for the Fostering Team, I endeavour to put together, a broad and varied training programme available to all of our foster carers. These can be in the form of face to face training sessions, […]
Sometimes, children are unable to return to live with their family and will either be placed with adopters or looked after by foster carers until they reach adulthood. Providing stability, care and support throughout childhood is one of the most rewarding aspects of long term foster care, helping vulnerable children grow into happy and secure […]
Charlotte explains the difference that her Foster Carers made… I had moved a few times before properly settling into a stable placement, which was at Alison’s home with her and her family. At first, I was nervous because I hated moving around and having to try and get used to my new home and the […]
There is no ‘typical’ or ‘standard’ foster carer – each fostering household is unique and valuable. Just as there is diversity in our children in care, our foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet the needs of our children and young […]
Almondsbury based carers, Sue and Brian, have only one regret about their fostering career – they wish they’d started it earlier. They originally thought age might be a barrier for them, but realised that life experience was valued – they’ve now looked after 12 children and have enjoyed every minute of it. Sue said: “For […]
Share the Care (previously Family Link) carers provide regular short breaks to disabled children or young people including those with learning difficulties, autism and physical impairments. This type of fostering offers a long term relationship with a child or young person and their family. This scheme suits people who can offer short breaks and who […]
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, expected to last 28 days or more. Close relatives are defined as step-parents, […]