30 foster carers wanted for city youngsters

Liverpool is launching a drive to recruit 30 new foster carers to care for the city’s young people.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight (June 1st – 14th), drop-in events are being held for people to find out more about looking after children in care – and hear direct from social care staff, foster carers and young people in care about what the role entails.

The events are being held at 30 James Street hotel in the city centre from 10am – 4pm on:

• Wednesday 3rd June
• Monday 8th June
• Tuesday 9th June

The city council has also arranged special thank-you events on Monday June 1st and Tuesday June 2nd which will see hundreds of existing foster carers treated to afternoon tea at 30 James Street to say thank you for their amazing work in looking after the city’s children.

And on Wednesday 3 June, Lord Mayor Cllr Tony Concepcion will put on a small reception at the Town Hall at 10:30am for some extra-special foster carers who have devoted much of their lives to helping young people in care as well as a fostering social worker who is retiring.

Councillor Roz Gladden, Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health, said: “Our team of foster carers do an amazing job providing a loving home for some of our most vulnerable children but when it comes to recruiting new carers we find there are still lots of myths and people rule themselves out when in truth they might be ideal.

“Our message is that foster carers come from all sorts of backgrounds and all walks of life and what matters most is that you are able to help care for our children in a safe and loving environment.

“There are several different types of foster care available, and it’s not always about committing to have a young person for a long period of time. For example, we have many children who just need some respite care away for a few nights.”

In addition, a series of drop in sessions are also being held across Foster Care Fortnight at the following venues, including Children’s Centres and Cunard Building in the city centre:

Monday 1st June: 10am – 2pm Granby Children’s Centre

Tuesday 2nd June: 10am – 2pm Fountains Children’s Centre and 11-1pm Cunard Building

Wednesday 3rd June: 10am- 2pm Kensington Children’s Centre

Thursday 4th June: 10am – 12:30 Stoneycroft Children’s Centre and 11 – 1pm Cunard Building

Friday 5th June: 10am – 2pm Belle Vale Children’s Centre

Saturday 6th June: 12 – 4pm ‘Picnic in the Park’ event at Stanley Park

Monday 8th June: 10am – 2pm Belle Vale Children’s Centre

Tuesday 9th June: 11am-1pm Cunard Building

Wednesday 10th June: 10am – 2pm Granby Children’s Centre

Thursday 11th June: 10am – 12:30pm Stoneycroft Children’s Centre

Friday 12th June: 10am – 1pm Woolton Children’s Centre and 11-1pm Cunard Building

Foster carers need to be aged over 21, but there is no upper age limit. They can be single, married or co-habiting, straight or gay.

People interested in fostering can visit http://www.fosteringforliverpool.co.uk to find out more or call the recruitment line on 0151 515 0000.

FACTFILE

• Liverpool has over 150 more looked-after children than it had five years ago, and the number now stands at around 1,000. The rise is due to a greater level of awareness of the issue of child neglect and abuse following the Baby Peter case in Haringey, and is reflected across the country

• Liverpool has over 300 foster carers currently looking after children, and the city is aiming to recruit more to keep up with the demand for loving homes

• Liverpool City Council runs a professional service offering a renowned level of support and training for its foster carers. A structured programme of training courses     helps them develop skills and gain recognised qualifications which can lead to new careers in related childcare work

Liverpool Waterfront