Find out about some events that are taking place during 16 – 29 May 2011 to support Foster Care Fortnight.
Bracknell Forest Council
Foster carers and social workers will be touring the borough on the mobile learning unit, offering tips and advice and sharing experiences with anyone who wants to know more about becoming a foster carer. Alex Walters, interim chief officer for children's social care, said: “The mobile learning unit is touring the borough and anyone who has ever thought about becoming a foster carer should try and catch the team during the fortnight to find out more, or give them a call.”
The mobile learning unit will start its journey in Bracknell town centre at 10am on Monday, May 16. Later that day it will stop at The Peel centre (11.45am-1.30pm) and Sainsburys in Bagshot Road (2pm-4pm). On Tuesday, the unit will be at Tesco in Martins Heron from 10am until 11.30am and then at the Meadows shopping centre in Sandhurst from midday to 2pm, before returning to The Peel Centre between 2.30pm and 4pm. On Friday the unit will be at Tesco Martins Heron from 10am until 11.30am, and at Bracknell Lesiure Centre from 2.30pm to 4pm.
Fostering takes many different forms – from a short stay of one to two nights as a short break carer, to a long term placement of several years. It is essential that foster carers have a spare room in their house, and time to dedicate to being a carer. They also need to be a good listener, have patience and understanding, and have a flexible attitude. People who would like to become a supported lodgings carer and support young people aged between 16 and 18 towards independence, in their homes, can also visit the mobile unit.
Kent County Council
Look out for Kent County Council's posters across the county and their short film clips on YouTube and on the kent.gov.uk website. Jenny Whittle, KCC Cabinet Member for Specialist Children's Services, said: “In the last 12 months we have recruited 120 new carers to add to our dedicated army of people. They are all providing loving and caring homes for children and young people who need support away from their families.
“I think we’ve been successful in recent years in getting out the message that we want people from all walks of life. Single, married, with partner, with or without children of their own, it matters not. A stable, secure and loving home is the key ingredients we’re looking for.”
To find out more an information session will be held on Saturday 21 May, 10am - 2pm, in the Lecture Theatre in Sessions House, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ. There will be two presentations, one at 10.30am and the second one at 12.30. People will have the chance to speak informally with foster carers and fostering social workers.
Details of future information sessions are available on our website www.kent.gov.uk/fostering or from our Initial Enquiries Team on 0845 330 2968.
