A major campaign is being launched to recruit 40 new foster carer households to help Cheshire East Council look after an increasing number of cared-for children. The authority urgently needs more people who can offer a secure, safe and caring home for a child who cannot live with their own family.
And to help spread the message it is launching an eye-catching campaign to coincide with Foster Care Fortnight, which begins next week.
The campaign, which will appear on buses and in the local media, features a line of brightly coloured toy ducks and carries the slogan: A Child Without a Home is Like a Duck Out of Water.
Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: “Currently there are 180 foster carer households looking after more than 300 children in Cheshire East. An increasing number of children entering the care system means we desperately need a minimum of 40 new foster carer households.
“Many professionals believe this rise is due to a greater public awareness of child protection issues. While this increased vigilance among the public can only be a good thing, it does of course mean that the demand for foster carers is greater than ever.
“We hope this campaign will reach people who may not have considered fostering before and encourage them to find out more.”
Foster carers come from all walks of life and may be married, living together or single, and may or may not have children of their own. They provide many different types of care including emergency overnight stays, short breaks for children with disabilities and long-term support until the young person reaches adulthood.
Foster carers are paid an allowance to cover the daily costs of looking after each child, plus holiday, birthday and Christmas allowances. Expenses are available for other costs incurred.
Councillor Gaddum said: “The role of a foster carer involves much more than just providing a home for a child or young person. They support youngsters, assist them to develop and grow, act on their behalf and, perhaps most importantly, are a positive role model.
“There is no such thing as the perfect foster carer – we need a diverse range of people with different skills and qualities so more children can be placed in the right home. I urge anyone who thinks they may have the skills to foster to make contact with us and find out more about this hugely rewarding role.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about fostering can visit the website www.spacesforfaces.co.uk, which has been specially commissioned by Cheshire East Council, or contact the Council’s Fostering telephone hotline on 0300 123 3223.
Visitors to the website can take part in a virtual game of hook-a-duck - and all those who do will go into a prize draw to win a day’s free hire of a canal boat from Nantwich Marina.
Photo Caption: Cheshire East Mayor Gordon Baxendale is joined by Lady Mayoress Felivity Baxendale (left) and Lorraine Butcher, Head of Services for Children and Families, (right) in a game a hook-a-duck to promote the Council campaign to recruit more foster carers.
