Families urged to considerid f fosteringt i in council’s recruitment drive

FAMILIES are being asked to consider a new challenge as a fostering service is urgently looking for families to look after children.

Staffordshire County Council’s fostering service is now asking people could being a foster carer be that next challenge?

With children back at school, and some teenagers flying the nest or off to university, some parents may be ready to consider fostering.

The service needs to recruit around 60 new families this year and has an urgent need to find families for teenagers and sibling groups.

A series of virtual information events is planned for the next three months.

Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council said: “While we currently need carers for children of all ages, we have a particular need for carers for teenagers and sibling groups. If fostering sounds like it could be your next challenge, then joining one of our virtual information events will help you take that first step.”

Staffordshire foster carers Cliff and Elaine Whiteley said: “We’ve been fostering for 20 years now and it’s a really rewarding thing to do. I don’t think I’ve ever done a job that’s as satisfying as it is. The training and support is excellent and you’re never on your own. You’ve got teams of professionals with you the whole way to help you do what’s best for the child. When you see how much the children you look after have changed years later or see them happier and leading a better life it lets you know you’ve made a real difference. I’d definitely urge people to try it.”

There are many different types of fostering including, long-term, weekend, short-term and resilience fostering.

The next virtual fostering information event will be on Thursday, October 22 at 6.30pm. The session will be run over Microsoft Teams and people can sign up at www.fosterforstaffordshire.co. uk More information on fostering is also available on the website or by calling 0800 169 2061.