BRIGG PEOPLE URGED 'TO OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES TO TEENAGERS'

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Throughout Foster Care Fortnight (1 to 14 June) the council is encouraging people to consider the rewards of fostering an older child and take their first steps towards making a difference.
The fostering service is focusing on recruiting more foster carers for teenagers by looking at the many positive aspects of caring for teenagers. 
There are many reasons why opening up your home to a teenager is a fantastic thing to do.  Here are just some of the reasons a teenager would say why you should consider caring for them:

• Everyone deserves to be special to someone. 
• We sleep through the night – often half of the morning as well! 
• Every teenager deserves a loving family - to rebel against. 
• We will keep you young at heart. 
• You’ll never be bored. 
• We’ll teach ‘u how 2 txt’. 
• We’ll teach you how to use your computer. 
• We need you to stick with us and guide us into adult life. 

Why wait any longer? You could be the person who makes a real difference to their life.

What do teenagers need from their foster carers?

• Someone who will make them a part of their family 
• Someone who has a good attitude about being a foster carer 
• Someone who can help them learn to manage money and responsibilities 
• Someone who shows they care about their feelings; is nice, respectful and loving 
• Someone who sets rules but isn’t obsessive about them 
• Someone who is a good listener 
• If you could be all of these then becoming a foster carer could be your next rewarding challenge. 

The council has organised a number of information events where people can find out how to become a foster carer and what’s involved:
Monday 1 June at the Learning Development Centre, (Riddings Pool) Enderby Road, Scunthorpe from 10am to 2pm 
Tuesday 2 June at the councils Business Expo event being held at The Baths Hall from 10am to 4.30pm 
Thursday 4 June at Ashby Market from 9.30am to 4.30pm 
Saturday 6 June at Scunthorpe Market from 9.30am to 4.30pm 
Sunday 7 June at Messingham Show from 9.30am to 4pm 
Thursday 11 June at Brigg Market from 9.30am to 4.30pm 
Saturday 13 June at Scunthorpe Market from 9.30am to 4.30pm 
Sunday 14 June at Appleby Country Fayre from 11am to 5pm 
As part of Foster Care Fortnight the fostering services team will also focus on fostering siblings groups and be launching the Fostering Friendly Employers scheme. Keep an eye out for further information or contact the team on 01724 297024.
Annemarie Carlberg, service manager, fostering services team at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We believe that family care is the best provision of alternative care for most children or young people who become looked after. We offer foster carers in North Lincolnshire a high level of support, an excellent training package, financial support and we have a very positive, supportive fostering community.
“Throughout Foster Care Fortnight we are planning to increase our campaigns and encourage more people to come forward as foster carers particularly for teenagers and siblings. We are continually recruiting foster carers but over the next couple of weeks there will be plenty of opportunities for people to find out more about fostering at our drop-in events.
“As well as focusing on recruiting foster carers for teenagers and siblings we are encouraging local businesses to become Fostering Friendly Employers. All types of fostering have challenges and rewards. Fostering teenagers is no different, they will test you just as your own children may have done. They will laugh with you, they want you to support them and be interested in their education, and they will love having you to plan their prom outfit with them. You may work with teenagers; you probably have experience of teenagers in your family and let’s not forget you were a teenager once! 
“Pick up the phone or go to one of the sessions, and be that person that you relied on when you were a teenager!”

Jackie Sanders, director at The Fostering Network, said: “As each year passes, we see more and more children coming into care. We need people who can open their heart, and their homes, to vulnerable children and young people who need support at a critical point in their young lives.
“A good foster carer will believe in the ambition of the children in their care in the same way they’d believe in the ambition of their own family members. A childhood is too short to waste, and foster carers can help those who haven’t had the best start begin to enjoy their life and grown into the adults that they want to be.”
For further information about fostering visit the council’s website: www.northlincs.gov.uk/fostering or call 01724 297024.