More foster homes needed for children

Derbyshire County Council wants to hear from people of all backgrounds and walks of life – singles, couples, working or not, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, whether people own or rent their home.

All foster carers need is a spare room. People can foster at weekends, short-term, long-term and receive allowances and support. Or people with the right experience can be a specialist carer for teenagers with complex needs and get a salary in return.

Find out more and meet current foster carers and social workers on Monday February 29, 5pm to 7pm, County Hall, Matlock.

There is no upper age limit but foster carers must be 21 or older. The council also needs to find people who can offer foster care to siblings as well as individual children.

Councillor Jim Coyle, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Caring for children is one of our most important responsibilities and we’re always looking for foster carers so we can give youngsters a home. Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs you can do but it is also one of the most rewarding.

“We offer generous allowances and our social workers support carers all the way with the help of other experienced foster parents in our team.”

Derbyshire currently has 412 approved foster carers and needs placements for a further 418 children.

The authority is also looking for permanent homes for a variety of different children, particularly those with additional needs and disabilities, older children and sibling groups.

Most of the children who need permanent homes range from toddlers to older children. It is very rare that babies are in need of adoption.

For more information visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering