FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL
North Lincolnshire Council is looking for more foster carers and will be out and about during Fostering Fortnight (14 to 27 May) spreading the word.
Could you be a foster carer for North Lincolnshire Council? Did you know that there is no typical foster carer?
Foster carers come from all walks of life and each have unique skills and qualities to offer the children they care for. Throughout Fostering Fortnight we are promoting foster care, and dispelling the myths and misconceptions about fostering.
The North Lincolnshire Council Fostering Service have arranged some roadshows during Fostering Fortnight to celebrate fostering, talk to potential foster carers and dispel the myths about being a foster carer.
The roadshow dates are:
- Tuesday 15 May, 10am to 2.30pm at Café Indiependent, High Street, Scunthorpe
- Wednesday 16 May, 2pm to 4pm at The Ropewalk in Barton
- Thursday 17 May, 1pm to 4pm at The Angel Library, Brigg
- Friday 18 May, 9am to 1pm at Crowle Library
- Monday 21 May, 1pm to 4pm at Winterton Library, West Street
- Wednesday 23 May, 10am to 2.30pm at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Church Square, Scunthorpe
- Thursday 24 May, 12.30pm to 4pm at Baysgarth Leisure Centre, Barton
You’ll be able to speak to the team about fostering, ask any questions you have and take your first steps towards making a difference to a child’s life. You can talk to a social worker in private and speak to foster carers. You are not committing to fostering by attending, it’s an opportunity to find out if fostering is for you.
The team will also be at the Parkrun on 19 May, 9am at Central Park and 26 May, 9am at Normanby Hall, as well as the Bank Holiday Festival at Normanby Hall on 27 May. Keep an eye out for them and find out if fostering is for you.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for Children, Families and Learning, said: “Fostering can and does change children’s’ lives, and we are spreading the message throughout Fostering Fortnight that we need more foster carers now to do just that.
“We welcome interest from anyone who is interested in fostering. There are lots of myths and misconceptions out there about who can and can’t foster, many of which are untrue. There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. All we ask if that you can offer time, commitment, patience and a loving and stable home.
“If you would like to find out more information about fostering, whether you could foster and how the process works, go along to a roadshow event. Our friendly Fostering Team will be happy to talk to you in confidence. Take your first step towards changing a child’s life this Fostering Fortnight.”
In the latest Ofsted report on North Lincolnshire Council’s Children’s Services, the Fostering Service was rated ‘outstanding’ for the services they provide.
Could you give something back? If you’re not a foster carer already, perhaps now is the time for you to consider becoming one. To find out more about foster care and if it’s right for you, call 01724 297024, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or go to www.northlincs.gov.uk/fostering.
Shelly and Richard’s story
Shelly and Richard from Brigg have been fostering in North Lincolnshire since September 2017. They had previously fostered in another area for five years. They said:
“We became foster carers because we wanted to be able to give something back. We had one child through IVF and were unable to have a second. We have now fostered a total of 18 children.
“We received a lot of help and support from North Lincolnshire Council’s Fostering Service, it’s like a big family. It wasn’t like this where we fostered previously. There is always someone on the phone or visiting to see how things are. You get invited to excellent events along with other foster carers including trips out, pantomimes and youth groups.
“Our biggest achievement so far is supporting a four year-old child to adoption and witnessing the changes in him from a young boy who didn’t speak to anyone to overcome these challenges and become a chatty, confident and happy little boy with a forever family. We are still in contact with him and the adopters now.
“More recently we have become carers for a lovely teenage girl. We have an excellent relationship with her and we are really proud of her.
“Fostering is extremely rewarding and we are so happy we decided to open up our home to care for children. If you are considering foster care, we would definitely recommend North Lincolnshire Council’s Fostering Team, so don’t waste any more time and get in touch with them.”
PICTURED: Trumpeting the cause of fostering in Brigg - the Angel on the landmark building in Brigg town centre which the roadshow will be visiting this week.
