Need for more foster carers remains in coronavirus pandemic, says Nottinghamshire County Council
The county council is encouraging people to consider fostering as part of Foster Care Fortnight promotion (May 11 - May 24) to help children and young people across the county who need safe and loving homes.
It is as important as ever for people to come forward as foster carers during the coronavirus crisis, as children and young people continue to face challenges and turbulent home lives, foster carers are able to step in and help them.
Mr Owen, Chairman of children’s services for Nottinghamshire County Council, said “While the country currently continues to have restrictions and guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is important to remember that there are still children and young people out there who need our help.
“We need people to come forward who can open their home to a child or young person in need. We offer excellent support and payments to our foster carers, so I would encourage anyone who is at a crossroads in their career or who has the time to dedicate to foster care, to find out more on our website and enquire about fostering with Nottinghamshire County Council.”
The coronavirus crisis might provide the opportunity for people to think about the future and focus on how they can help those outside of their immediate family.
If that’s the case, the council's foster care team is available and will be holding a ‘virtual coffee and fostering chat’ on Wednesday, May 20 from 1.30 to 2.30pm, with details and links on the council's website.
This year, Foster Care Fortnight, which is a national campaign led by The Fostering Network celebrates the devotion of foster carers and the positive impact that they have on society.
Lynn, a support foster carer with the county council, said: “It’s a way of life for us now. We just find it really rewarding with the relationships that we build up with these young people.
"We do feel fully supported and it’s like being part of a team. We go on training sessions and I almost look forward to those sessions because you meet other foster carers there and it’s very interesting.”
While face-to-face training sessions are currently on hold, foster carers can access online learning and their Supervising Social Worker is just a phone call away if they need support or guidance.
