Fostering
Black Country ready to embrace national changes to fostering
Published on
A new Department for Education campaign is calling on more people across the Black Country to consider fostering.
The nationwide campaign is encouraging people who already have the qualities needed to foster to come forward and consider making a difference to a child's life. Everyday acts of care, from helping with homework to sharing a meal, can help children feel safe, supported and settled, while making a lasting difference to their future
As part of the national drive to recruit more foster carers, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils have come together to establish Black Country Fostering, a regional fostering hub that will transform how foster carers are recruited, supported and retained across the region.
“ We are setting up Black Country Fostering to combine our appeal to the people of Walsall and across the Black Country as we work together to raise awareness of fostering, reach new audiences and make it easier for people to find out what fostering involves and what support we offer.
We need to be very clear that we need more foster carers across the Black Country to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a caring environment where they feel supported, valued and able to thrive. That is at the core of what Black Country Fostering is being set up to provide
“
New government research reveals that many people believe they could be good foster carers. However, misconceptions about who can foster may be leading people to needlessly rule themselves out. Around one in five mistakenly believe foster carers must earn above a certain income (22%), own their home (20%) or be married or in a long-term relationship (18%).
Having previous childcare experience or qualifications was the most commonly selected perceived requirement to become a foster carer in England, with 29% of survey respondents in the West Midlands selecting it.
The national campaign aims to reassure people that training, guidance and ongoing support can help them develop the skills and confidence they need to foster and encourages anyone considering fostering to find out more before ruling themselves out.
“ This campaign is very much needed. We know that people with so much to offer to children and young people, sometimes rule themselves out of fostering, without even talking to us. So, if you – or someone you know – is thinking about it, come and talk to us, get the facts and I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised.
“There are a lot of people already out there who already have what it takes to make a great foster carer, we are asking them to join us and share their lives with a child who needs the security, nurturing and love they can offer. “
Fostering is more possible than you think. Before ruling yourself out, find out more. Visit fostering.campaign.gov.uk to learn about fostering and what it could look like where you live and use the postcode checker to find your local fostering service.
Black Country Fostering will formally launch later this month. In the meantime, anyone interested in fostering can contact their local authority fostering service to find out more.
Dudley www.fosteringindudley.org.uk/ tel. 01384 815833
Sandwell www.fostersandwell.co.uk tel. 0800 358 0899
Walsall https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering tel. 0800 923 3706
Wolverhampton www.fosteringforwolverhampton.com tel. 01902 551 133
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