Myths busted in search for foster carers

Three of the biggest myths that Bath & North East Somerset Council believes stop people from thinking about becoming foster carers were busted today to mark the start of the UK-wide Foster Care Fortnight.

The Council’s fostering service - rated outstanding by OFSTED in September 2010 - has 59 foster care families looking after children and young people from across the district. But it wants to recruit even more so that every child who is not able to live with their parents is given a loving home with trained foster carers.

Maurice Lindsay, Divisional Director for Children, Young People, and Family Support, said, “Our foster carers do a tremendous job looking after and nurturing children and young people unable to live their parents. But we need even more to help change the lives of these vulnerable children. The Council wants to encourage everyone to think whether they could become a carer. Foster Care Fortnight is the ideal time for us to bust the myths that people may have about the requirements for becoming a carer.”

The myths…

 

· “I am too old” – Incorrect. There is no age limit for becoming a foster carer. Our prime concern is to ensure that any potential foster family can provide the time, patience, and understanding require to looked after a child; 

· “You have to be married” – Incorrect. We will consider all types of couples, whether married, unmarried, or same sex;

· “You don’t have any help or financial support to look after the children” – Incorrect. The Council offers training, on-going support and up to £400 per week allowance.

To help dispel these myths and encourage greater understanding and awareness of how rewarding becoming a foster carer can be, a series of road shows are being held by the Council with the help of existing carers. A new guide to fostering will be distributed at the road shows and is available on the web.  

Bath; 7a Lower Borough Walls. Drop-in sessions with light refreshments will be held on Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th May 2011, from 10am -2:30 pm. The Community Playbus on Wednesday 25th May, 10am -12pm, 2011 will be parked on Coalpit Road, Batheaston.

Keynsham; Coffee morning at the Time Out Youth Centre next to Riverside in Temple St on Thursday 26th May, 10am -12pm, 2011

Midsomer Norton and Radstock; An information stand will be at The Hollies on 24th May, 10am – 12pm, 2011 with staff on hand to answer questions. A drop in session with light refreshments at the Café Gallery, Fosseway School will be held on 24th May, 1pm – 3pm, 2011. Staff and foster carers will be present.  

Find out more

See what its like to become a foster care family by viewing our short video at www.bathnes.gov.uk/fostering or for more details about the drop-in events or becoming a carer email fostering@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 39 40 41.