Bracknell

The Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team has launched an appeal for members of the African community to come forward and become foster carers.

The Bracknell fostering team wants to hear from men and women from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe who could provide temporary homes to children from similar ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

In Bracknell Forest, the number of children of African heritage is small but a smaller percentage of carers are of black or Asian backgrounds.

Commenting on the difficulty of recruiting in this area, Sandra McGinley, Head of Service said: "Reading and Slough Boroughs find it easier to recruit carers as they have larger and more diverse populations.

"In Bracknell Forest the last Census showed a very small population from different ethnic backgrounds which makes for a much smaller pool of people to target with our message."

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Children's Services said, "It can take up to six months to approve a foster carer. We already have looked after children who could get more out of being cared for by a family of the same ethnic and cultural origin so we have decided to step up our campaign to recruit more carers from different cultural backgrounds."

Anyone can apply to be a foster carer. There are flexible fostering options to suit you, your family and your lifestyle whether you are single, married or living with a partner.

It does not matter if you have children of your own, if you work or if you receive benefits. You can be disabled, retired, male, female, from any cultural background, or of any sexual orientation.

Contact the Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team on 01344 351582 or go online to www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/fostering. Alternatively, drop into our Open Event on 3 May at the Family and Adolescent Support Centre, 7 Portman Close, Bracknell RG12 1NE from 7 to 9pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council