People in Staffordshire are being urged to "rule themselves in" to fostering this autumn by finding out more before assuming it's not for them.
Many people dismiss the idea of fostering because they think they aren't the right age, don't have the right experience, work full-time, or don't have a traditional family set-up.
However, Staffordshire County Council’s fostering service is asking residents to get in touch and discover whether they could make a difference to a local child.
Debbie and Marc Heemsbergen, from Burntwood, are proof that fostering can be life-changing for both children and carers. The couple have been fostering with Staffordshire for 24 years, specialising in short-term care for young children, and are also raising three children under Special Guardianship Orders.
Speaking about their fostering journey, Debbie said:
When people hear we're foster carers, they often say, 'I couldn't do that. But our advice to people is always the same, never rule yourself out until you've had a conversation.
There are plenty of myths around fostering that put people off, but you don't need to be perfect or have all the answers. The training, support and foster carer community are there to help every step of the way.
Becoming foster carers is one of the best decisions we've ever made. Seeing a child feel safe, gain confidence and thrive is incredibly rewarding. If you've ever thought about fostering, rule yourself in and find out more. You might be surprised by the difference you can make."
Su Beardmore, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a stable, loving home, and we need more local foster carers to help make that happen.
Foster carers like Debbie and Marc show that fostering isn't about being extraordinary, it's about opening your home and your heart to a child who needs support.
Too often people rule themselves out because they think they wouldn't be eligible or capable of fostering. We want people across Staffordshire to rule themselves in, have a conversation with our team and discover what's possible.”
The service is looking to recruit 60 new foster families this year to provide homes for local children and young people.
Anyone interested in learning more about fostering can visit the Foster with Staffordshire website or call 0800 169 2061 for an informal chat.
