Council’s tribute to foster fathers
FOSTER4, Halton Borough Council’s foster carer recruitment service, has celebrated the contribution fathers and father figures, including male foster carers, make to the lives of children.
Fostering is an incredible, homebased, flexible and self-employed role that uses many different skills and provides great role modelling for children.
Foster4, a collaboration of four local authorities including Halton, Warrington, Cheshire East, And Cheshire West And Chester, which recruits and supports more foster carers than any other organisation in Cheshire, asked some of their male foster carers in to explain the immense satisfaction they get from of fostering.
Paddy and wife Sylvia have been fostering for more than two years, and currently foster a pre-school child. They have lived with Paddy and his family for over a year and fostering has proven to be a hugely uplifting and positive experience, although not without a few challenges.
He said: “As a male foster carer, I always try and ensure I’m a positive role model to a child who may not have had one in their life before.
“I can help to advise and guide them through life and demonstrate how being treated with kindness and respect are important qualities for them to follow.”
Halton Council’s executive board member for children, education and social care, Cllr Tom McInerney, said “Our foster carers take on such a varied role and as caregivers, they are the people who babies, children and teenagers look up to and learn from. It’s wonderful to see children develop and thrive through fostering, and I urge people to reach out if they think they could make a difference. If during lockdown you have found yourself spending more time at home, or thinking about ways you can contribute and help in the local area, consider fostering with Halton Council.”
For further information visit foster4.co.uk or call 01925 444 100 or email fosteringrecruitment@warrington.gov.uk