County backs fostering scheme

DERBYSHIRE County Council has pledged support for a nationwide scheme to encourage people to become foster carers.

Foster Care Fortnight began on Monday and is aimed at raising awareness of fostering, and recruiting more foster carers at a time when they are needed more than ever.

The campaign is also setting out to help people appreciate the essential work foster carers do to look after children in care.

Under the promotional messages “Foster care transforms lives” and #Thisisfostering this year’s campaign will feature inspirational foster carer images and stories to highlight how fostering changes children’s lives – and changes lives for carers too.

The council is a member of the Fostering Network and is supporting the campaign, which runs until Sunday, May 24.

Councillor Alex Dale (pictured), cabinet member for young people, said: “As a leading fostering agency we fully support Foster Care Fortnight – its message is more important this year than ever.

“The coronavirus outbreak and the impact of self-isolation has made some children even more vulnerable and want to ensure we have enough carers available when children need them.

“Our foster carers do an amazing job playing a vital role in transforming lives for the children in our care for which I’d like to say a huge thank you.

“I’d urge anyone who feels they could foster to apply for an assessment – which we’re still carrying out using video call technology – and play an important part in changing a child’s life for the better as well as changing theirs, too.”

● To find out more visit www. derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering