Reggie will be out and about during Fostering Fortnight

Reggie hits the road to mark Fostering Fortnight

Reggie, Staffordshire's fostering and adoption recruitment bus, will be making a series of stops around the county later this month to mark Foster Care Fortnight.

I will give people chance to find out how they can get involved with vital and rewarding work helping deserving youngsters.

Local people are being urged to consider if they have what it takes to be a foster carer. With Foster Care Fortnight taking place between 12-25 May this year, Staffordshire County Council is using the occasion to explain why more placements are needed.

County Councillor Robert Simpson, Deputy Leader and cabinet lead for children and young people said: "Ordinary caring people living ordinary lives in ordinary homes can make wonderful foster carers. Currently we have around 260 carers looking after over 650 children, throughout Staffordshire. They are doing a fantastic job but we simply need more people to come forward.

"Anyone aged over 21 can foster. There are no set rules about age, status, income or size of home. What really matters is your commitment to the child and your ability to provide a stable loving home for an agreed length of time."

Cllr Simpson added: "Foster carers receive an allowance to meet the costs of looking after children in their care. They are also receive good training and a high level of support throughout the foster placement."

As part of the campaign to recruit new carers, posters and adverts are appearing on billboards and on Arriva buses around the county over the coming weeks.

Service managers are particularly keen to hear from people from ethnic or cultural minorities, as some are under-represented at present. Also sought are people who can look after sibling groups, where brothers and sisters wish to remain together, and people to care for children with special needs.

Foster care placements can vary greatly in length. Some carers offer short-term or respite care for weeks, weekends or even overnight, while others provide care for many years, in some cases leading to permanent status or adoption.

For more information, or for an exploratory discussion, contact Staffordshire Social Services Family Placement Team on 0800 169 2061.

Reggie the recruitment bus

'Reggie' the bright yellow fostering and adoption recruitment bus, will be out and about during May. Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer or adoptive parent can simply drop in, pick up a leaflet, and have an informal chat with other carers or social workers.

Look out for Reggie on the following dates:

Tuesday 13 May: Trentham Gardens. Fun day, face painting and crafts
Thursday 15 May Morrisons Car Park Newcastle
Monday 19 May: Leek Town Centre
Tuesday 20 May: Cannock Town Centre
Thursday 22 May: Octagon Centre Burton-on-Trent. Balloon launch.
Monday 26 May: Lichfield Bower
Wednesday/Thursday 28/29 May: Staffordshire County Show

Page Last Modified: 07/05/2008 14:19:13

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