Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council this month will launch a campaign to attract local people into fostering.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team will be holding an information session at the Bandstand in the town centre where foster carers and members of the team will be on hand answering questions about fostering. The team will also be available on Tuesday, May 20, in front of Charles Square water fountain. Both days the team will be in the town centre from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council has joined the UK-wide campaign Foster Care Fortnight as the Council needs to recruit foster carers who can provide short break, short-term, or long-term care for children and young people.

Foster Care Fortnight (May 12-May 25), co-ordinated by fostering charity Fostering Network, raises awareness of fostering and highlights the shortage of foster carers across the UK - Bracknell Forest is currently experiencing a shortage of foster carers able to take in teenagers.

Penny Reuter, Chief Officer: Children's Social Care, said: "We need to recruit at least five new fostering households this year, and we particularly need carers for teenagers.

"We have a number of teenagers currently in need of a placement.

"Teenagers can move out of their homes for any number of reasons. Sometimes they may just need a break outside the family before returning home. Sometimes, they need to stay in foster care longer term. But whatever their individual circumstances, we really need people who can offer a stable and supportive environment for teenagers."

Jock and Nina are currently foster carers and have cared for a number of teenagers. Jock believes the young people have a huge difference to their lives.

He said: "Nina and I have fostered for eight years and the word I often associate with fostering is 'rewarding' - to see young people safe, achieve academically, participate in sports and most importantly, return to or have contact with their own family.

"Sometimes young people need time in a different environment for many different reasons. To be able to offer this for young people is the most rewarding thing we know."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council offers a comprehensive package for foster carers which includes:
* excellent support throughout the training and assessment process and beyond;
* paid respite;
* financial allowances, with extra allowance for training and NVQs gained;
* a local carers' support group;
* out of hours and emergency support; and
* a dedicated social worker for each carer.

The Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team are also holding a open evening on Wednesday, July 16, at the Bracknell Family Centre, Warfield Road, 7-9 pm. The evening will be an informal meeting where interested residents meet others interested in fostering, as well as members of the Council's fostering team.

Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Children's Services said: "Anyone over 21 can apply to foster - gender, marital status, disability, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, employment status or home ownership don't matter.

"If people have even considered fostering, they shouldn't hesitate in calling the family placement team. It could be one of the most important phone calls they ever make and could change a child or young persons life forever."

For more information and a pack about fostering, call 01344 351582.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council