Vulnerable children: Council backing calls for more foster parents in Derbyshire

The Fostering Network’s annual Foster Care Fortnight campaign is underway now and is designed to raise awareness, recruit more foster carers and appreciate the essential work they do to look after children in care.

Under the promotional messages ‘foster care transforms lives’ and #ThisIsFostering this year’s campaign will feature inspirational foster carer images and stories to highlight how fostering changes children’s lives – and changes lives for carers too.

The council is a member of the Fostering Network and is supporting the campaign which runs until May 24.

Coun Alex Dale, cabinet member for young people at the county council, said: “As a leading fostering agency we fully support foster care fortnight – its message is more important this year than ever.

“The coronavirus outbreak and the impact of self-isolation has made some children even more vulnerable and want to ensure we have enough carers available when children need them.

“Our foster carers do an amazing job playing a vital role in transforming lives for the children in our care for which I’d like to say a huge thank you.

“I’d urge anyone who feels they could foster to apply for an assessment – which we’re still carrying out using video call technology – and play an important part in changing a child’s life for the better as well as changing theirs too.”

Derbyshire foster carers do not need any special qualifications, they just need to be aged 21 or over with no upper age limit; have a spare room; go through a few initial checks before they are assessed; have some experience of caring for children

The council will consider foster carers who are of any sexual orientation or gender identity; married, single, in a civil partnership, living with a partner, divorced or widowed; a home-owner or renting; of any religion or no religion; employed or not working; of any ethnicity; disabled; with or without children already; with children still living at home

For more details, visit The Fostering Network or Derbyshire County Council.