Appeal for more foster carers

The county council is once again appealing for more people to answer the call for more foster carers as lockdown measures continue to ease. 

The authority says it is still taking enquiries and carrying out assessments digitally for new foster carers and want to hear from people who think they can offer a loving and stable home to a child. 

It is hosting an online ‘Talk Fostering’ event on Wednesday 8 July from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, where people thinking about fostering can talk to Derbyshire County Council's foster carer recruitment team.

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

Cllr Alex Dale, DCC's Cabinet Member for Young People, said: "We still need foster carers in Derbyshire – now more than ever during the coronavirus outbreak and we are still taking enquiries and carrying out assessments digitally.

"Children in our care have had a difficult start in life and we’re looking for people who can provide a loving, stable home.

“If you think you could change a child’s life, we’d really like to hear from you. There’s lots of information on our website and we’re hosting an online ‘Talk Fostering’ event on Wednesday 8 July, 6:30pm to 8:30pm for residents to find out more and ask questions.”

There are many different types of fostering opportunities which fit around work, family and different lifestyles.

The council says prospective foster carers receive ongoing support throughout the assessment process plus training, benefits and a competitive package of financial support once they are approved.

Foster carers do not need any special qualifications but need to: 

• Be aged 21 or over with no upper age limit
• Have a spare room
• Go through a few initial checks before they are assessed
• Have some experience of caring for children.

The council says it will consider foster carers who are:

• Of any sexual orientation or gender identity
• Married, single, in a civil partnership, living with a partner, divorced or widowed
• A home-owner or renting
• Of any religion or no religion
• Employed or not working
• Of any ethnicity
• Disabled
• With or without children already
• With children still living at home.

People can find out more about fostering and apply at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/fostering.