Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council has teamed up with other local councils to launch a poster campaign this week in a bid to recruit more foster carers.

Bracknell Forest's Family Placement Team along with their counterparts in Wokingham and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead unveiled their new latest poster which features a teenage girl asking if you "Miss fighting to get into the bathroom?"

The hard-hitting new posters have already caused a stir in councils as far away as Lancashire, Yorkshire and Wales.

Juliette Thomas, Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team Manager, said: "Our posters use messages and images that challenge perceptions of teenagers as being disruptive.

"We want to highlight the fact that teenage years can be emotional with lots of different experiences happening quickly - from spots and crushes to growing pains, peer pressure and mood swings.

"We also want people to realise that with a stable environment and the right support and guidance, teenagers they can get through their difficulties and grow into well rounded young people."

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell Children’s Services, said: "There is a real shortage of foster carers with many young people eager for the support of a caring foster family.

"Teenagers in care often face a particularly troubled time with the many emotional and physical changes of adolescence. This often comes on top of problems at home and at school.

"I hope this poster campaign will help us recruit more foster carers for some really deserving young people."

Anyone can apply to be a foster carer and these days there are flexible fostering options to suit you, your family and your lifestyle.

The Family Placement Team has organised an open event for anyone interested in finding out more about fostering and adoption. This will take place on March 8 at the Family and Adolescent Support Centre, 7 Portman Close, Bracknell from 7 to 9pm.

Call the team on 01344 351582 for more information or visit the web site at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/fostering

Bracknell Forest Borough Council