Emergency Foster Carers needed in Wiltshire with more children in care
Emergency Foster Carers provide temporary safe homes for young people.
As the number of children entering the care system in Wiltshire rises, Wiltshire Council are asking if we could provide an emergency home for a young person in need, especially if we're seeking a change in career early in 2024.
Emergency Foster Carers are one the most important roles available in the council's foster carer scheme, as unexpected situations can leave young people needing care and support at short notice.
These youngsters find themselves dealing with a lot of uncertainty and may also be traumatised and need extra support.
Two people who've been emergency foster carers with Wiltshire Council are Steve and Julie Butler. Steve took up the role as fostering allowed him to leave his manual job, whilst doing something rewarding.
Emergency foster carers are paid £900 per week, per child, when a child is staying with them, and £500 per week when they have no children to care for. And with demand increase, the council are eager for more people to become carers.
To become an emergency foster carer, we need to be available at least 14 nights a month.
A child stays with the carer for 14 nights, followed by a rest period of 14 nights without a child or young person to care for, although carers do need to be flexible, as we may be asked to care for a child during the rest period, or have a young person stay longer.
Steve said: “All young people who have come to live with us have been different, all individuals. Often we have needed time and patience to get past the initial bravado they present but underneath, all are children needing help and support.
"Many young people will challenge us regarding curfews and acceptable behaviours, but this just needs time and patience. It is sitting and talking to young people rather than telling them what they can and cannot do. They are often not used to having boundaries and so need help to understand the need for them. It is about meeting in the middle and finding a way through that works for everyone. We also help young people to work with the professionals involved in their lives so that they can get the best.
"Often young people have not had good experiences and listening to their stories can be hard but it amazes us how resilient children are and how they want things to get better."
Steve added that fostering is a life changing experience, but one that is very worthwhile and rewarding.
“You feel you are helping and making a difference in the lives of young people.”
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “Many people look to change their career in the New Year. We are asking for people to join us and become a Wiltshire Council foster carer.
“We will support you and train you to be a foster carer for some of Wiltshire’s most vulnerable children and young people. We are particularly keen to recruit new emergency carers who can step in and provide that support for a short time. We recognise that our emergency foster carers provide a high level of support to the children and young people in their care and therefore our generous payments reflect the level of care that’s needed.
"Fostering with your local council means all money is spent on frontline services and the child is more likely to be able to stay close to their school, friends and family.
"Anyone who would like to consider fostering can get in touch with us and have a chat, without any commitment, or join one of our online drop-in information sessions so you can find out more and hear from other foster carers. There is no obligation just an opportunity for a chat and to see if fostering is for you.”