The hunt is on for more foster carers to look after children in the Liverpool City Region as part of a region-wide recruitment campaign.
Liverpool, Knowsley, St.Helens and Sefton Councils have joined forces to raise awareness about fostering with your local authority. They will be holding a joint virtual recruitment event on Tuesday 1st March at 6pm via zoom which means you can find out more about fostering without even leaving your home.
The Fostering Network identified a need for at least 7,300 new foster families in England this year. Applications to foster children and young people has declined significantly throughout the region since the start of the pandemic, yet there are nearly 3000 children looked after across the four authorities, which is why the need to find safe and loving homes for some of the most vulnerable children in our region is more important than ever before.
The event on Tuesday 1st March will be an opportunity to learn about the process, benefits, support and training available when fostering with your Local Authority.
There will also be the opportunity to listen and chat to Liverpool foster carer Donna, who will share her experiences of what fostering is like on a day-to-day basis and reveal why she is so passionate about caring for local children as part of a Local Authority team.
For more information about the event please visit https://fostering.liverpool.gov.uk/events/liverpool-city-region-fostering-information-event/or call 0151 515 0000
Councillor Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said: “In the Liverpool City Region we need more carers to provide the support and stable homes to help our young people thrive.
“By fostering with your Local Authority, you’ll be helping to keep children in their own communities, giving them access to familiar things and helping them maintain their friendships and education at a really difficult time in their lives.
“There are many different types of fostering to suit you and your family. You don’t need any special skills or qualifications, so please don’t rule yourself out. You just need to be able to provide a caring and stable home.
“If you are interested in fostering, then your Local Authority is the best place to find out more as you will benefit from the support and training they provide. Securing a stable home environment for foster children is vital if they are to have the best chances in life and realise their ambitions.”
Foster Carer Donna said: “The fostering training you’ll receive is second to none. It’s brilliant and will stand you in good stead. To see children thrive and blossom, and have a sense of self-worth, is one of the best things as a foster carer that you can experience.”
