It’s Foster Care Fortnight and as part of the campaign – which runs from Monday 12 May until Sunday 25 May – West Sussex County Council is highlighting the need for more foster carers to come forward.
There are many kinds of fostering, from short term to long term placements for children and young people across all age ranges.
The County Council is particularly looking for foster carers who are able to provide homes to older children and teenagers.
To help potential foster carers find out more about the different types of fostering, the County Council is holding a drop-in event at Shoreham Library, St Mary’s Road, Shoreham, BN43 5ZA, on Thursday 22 May, from 10am to 4pm.
Members of the fostering recruitment team will be on hand to talk about what’s involved in being a foster carer, and will be able to answer any questions.
Paul and Jay, from the Arun area, have been foster carers for over a year and now look after an older child and teenager on long-term placements.
Paul said: “They may be older, but you can still make a huge difference to their lives and that is really rewarding. Sometimes you can think you aren’t making any difference, but then all of sudden something can click and it falls into place – that’s really nice.
“I’m not going to lie – it is hard at times. Looking after older children isn’t easy, but every age range has different issues – and every individual child within that group is different and will present their own set of challenges.
“There is so much support on offer, not just from the child’s social worker but also from your family placement worker and other networks.
“One thing I’ve learnt is that you need to have a lot of patience! There are rough patches – but there are also really good times too.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world – deciding to foster is the best decision I have ever made.”
Peter Evans, County Council Cabinet Member for Children – Start of Life, said, said: “Foster carers, like Paul and Jay, make a real difference to young people in West Sussex.
“We are looking for more foster carers who can look after our older children and young people – they need stability and a safe and loving home.
“Being a foster carer is extremely rewarding – but we know making the decision to foster isn’t easy.
“I would urge anyone who is considering fostering to come along to the drop-in session and get more information about what’s involved.”
You can find out more about fostering at www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering or call 0330 222 7775.