People interested in becoming foster carers can find out more about this vital role at a special Fostering Friday event taking place this Friday (5 October).

Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council's Fostering for Wolverhampton team, along with foster care champions, will be at the fostering pop-up shop on the ground floor of the Mander Centre, next to Body Care and opposite the Victoria Street entrance, on Friday from 10am until 3pm.

Foster families are helping to give scores of children in Wolverhampton the best possible future by offering them a supportive environment in a loving home.

But more foster carers are urgently needed as there are dozens of children waiting for a home, and the Fostering for Wolverhampton team are keen to hear from individuals and couples who want to make a difference to a local child.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster carers who combine a desire to help children with a commitment to providing the best possible care, but we have more youngsters who are looking for a permanent foster home.

"Fostering can truly be a life changing experience, both for foster carers and the young person they care for. We'd love to hear from people who have both a spare room and of course love in their heart to help local children by fostering."

Foster carers can be sole carers, married or in a relationship - and they won't be on their own as help and support is available 24 hours a day. They will receive 6 months' "buddy support" from experienced foster carers who are there to befriend and guide them through the system.

Supervising social workers provide intensive support for the first 6 weeks of a placement and then every month thereafter, while foster carers can get help through a peer support network.

Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and carers receive a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.

As well as Friday's drop-in event, people can also find out more about becoming a foster carer by visiting Type=links;Linkid=8022;Title=Fostering for Wolverhampton;Target=_blank; or by calling 01902 551133.

  • released: Tuesday 2 October, 2018