Latest News
Foster Care Fortnight 2018
Published: 09/05/2018
Foster Care Fortnight鈩� is The Fostering Networks annual campaign to raise the
profile of fostering and to show how foster care transforms lives. It is also
the UKs biggest foster carer recruitment campaign.
Foster Care Fortnight 2018 will take place from 14 to 27 May.
Foster Care FortnightTM is the UK鈥檚 biggest foster care awareness raising
campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. The
campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers.
Over 7,000 new foster families are needed in the next 12 months alone to care
for a range of children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for
older children, sibling groups and disabled children.
天涯社区鈥檚 fostering service is joining this year鈥檚 campaign
to highlight the need for foster carers to care for local brothers and sisters.
Across North Wales in 2016/17, 86 sibling groups needed foster care. The
majority of these were groups of 2 brothers or sisters, but with 4 large groups
of 5 children, more foster carers are needed with 2 spare bedrooms.
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor
Christine Jones, said:
鈥淓ight groups of brothers and sisters needed foster care in 天涯社区 last
year (2017/18). These were mostly groups of two who were able to stay together.
Siblings can share bedrooms depending on their age, but we are really looking
for people who have an empty nest who can offer space, time and love to these
children. Older children have often spent their lives looking after their
younger brothers and sisters; being in foster care can let them be a child
again.鈥�
Kim has been a foster carer for 18 years, her first fostering experience was
with a brother and sister. Since then she recalls fostering at least 3 more
sibling groups:
鈥淭wo young brothers arrived on my doorstep. When they arrived, the eldest had
his arm around his little brother鈥檚 shoulder telling him it was all going to be
ok. Fostering is like doing a jigsaw, without the picture. Having a brother and
sister helps to put the pieces together and fill the gaps. You need patience
and time. The older sibling would often remember things that the younger one
didn鈥檛. Sometimes the children are part of a much bigger family, and we would
meet up in the park. There were 5 children in one family and really close in
age. I love what I do. Even after 18 years I still get a buzz from it, I love
the challenge.鈥�
Donna has been fostering for 2 years.
鈥淲hen we first thought about fostering, we were considering fostering one child
aged 0-5. Then we went on a 3 day course and decided if we could help any
child, their age didn鈥檛 matter. We were asked if we could take a brother and
sister. Thinking of our own children, there was no way we鈥檇 separate a brother
and sister. All it took was for someone to take an interest, listen, show them
different paths, choices and give them opportunities to shine. Now they are
involved in sports, music and their confidence is oozing. I鈥檓 so proud of what
they are achieving. I鈥檓 not sure they鈥檇 be achieving or progressing like this
if they鈥檇 been separated.鈥�
A young person in foster care in 天涯社区 said:
鈥淭he best thing about being in foster care is knowing that my sister is safe,
loved and looked after鈥�
天涯社区 Fostering Service is holding an information evening on Thursday 24
May, 7pm at Deeside Leisure Centre for anyone interested in finding out more
about becoming a foster carer with the local Council. Call 01352 701965 or
visit www.flintshirefostering.org.uk