Thinking about fostering? It’s time to go for it!

If you’ve ever considered being a foster carer, but weren’t sure if it was right for you, Knowsley Council is urging you to find out more during Foster Care Fortnight.

If you love spending time with children and young people, have plenty of love, patience and time to offer, as well as room in your home, fostering could be the perfect job for you!

And if you’ve often thought about fostering, but haven’t got around to finding out more then don’t wait any longer – come along to an Information Session next Wednesday, 21 May from 4.30-6pm , at the River Alt Resource Centre, Woolfall Health Avenue, Huyton. It’s a chance to meet Knowsley’s fostering service, ask any questions, and chat to some of our current foster carers to find out what fostering is really like.

There really is no such thing as a ‘typical carer’, and there are no ‘rules’ about who can and can’t foster. You don’t have to be married, wealthy, or own your own home. Foster carers can be any sexuality, race or religion. Full training and support is provided to foster carers, and you will be paid for the care you provide. As a foster carer for Knowsley you have the option to progress, working towards different ‘Skills Levels’, for which an additional payment, similar to a wage, will be paid.

In fact, being a foster carer can be one of the most rewarding jobs you’ll ever do.

If you can’t make the Information Session, you can call the team at anytime on 0151 443 3958, fill in an online enquiry form by visiting www.knowsley.gov.uk and searching ‘fostering’, or ‘like’ the Foster for Knowsley Facebook page.

Fostering involves looking after a child or young person in your own home at a time when they’re unable to live with their own families. Unlike adoption, fostering is a temporary situation for many children. Foster carers for Knowsley can choose whether to offer short or longer term care, and will have a say in the age of child/children they care for. At present there is a particular need for foster carers who are willing to care for children aged between 11-18, and sibling groups.

Paul Boyce, Director of People Services at Knowsley Council, said: “Fostering is such a rewarding job and we’re hoping that by raising awareness of what fostering involves that more people will come forward to be considered.

“There are no hard and fast rules about who can foster – we’re simply looking for people with the right qualities to help provide love, stability and support for young people when they need it most.

“If you’re interested in finding out more, please get in touch.”

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Gemma Melling

Communications Officer (Media)

Knowsley Council

0151 443 3537

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