Darlington needs more foster carers
People are being urged to consider becoming paid foster carers as part of the UK’s annual ‘Foster Care Fortnight’ campaign which runs from 9 to 22 May.
The campaign offers an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the power of foster care and to thank our established foster carers for all the fantastic work they do.
As part of Foster Care Fortnight, the council’s fostering team is holding the first live drop in information event - since the start of the pandemic - at the Hippodrome, on Thursday 12 May, from 5-8pm to help raise awareness of the critical ongoing need for more foster carers in Darlington. People can pop in and find out more about fostering; ask any questions they may have and talk to the council’s foster team and foster carers.
Head of Service for Darlington Borough Council’s fostering team, Bronwen Smith said: “Children in Darlington need a stable home. We have a fabulous group of foster carers providing supportive, caring, loving homes for children unable to live with their own families. However, we urgently need more foster carers to provide care for all ages of children and young people, on both a short and long-term basis.”
She emphasised “We really need foster carers who can provide a home for brothers and sisters to remain together - being placed in foster care is such an emotional roller coaster, to lose each other would be heart-breaking; teenagers and children with complex needs and disabilities.”
Councillor Jon Clarke, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people said: “If you have ever considered becoming a foster carer, please pop along to the information event at the Hippodrome on Thursday 12 May between 5 and 8 pm to find out more, chat to the council’s foster care team, foster carers and other like-minded people. Get a feel for if it’s for you.
“Our foster carers really do love what they do… Of course, fostering comes with challenges, but all our foster carers tell us, repeatedly, that the positive impact you have on a young person’s life; to see them thrive, gain self-confidence and be happy, far outweighs any challenges.
“Our small, friendly, not-for-profit team can provide all the training and support you need to become a paid foster carer in Darlington.
“All you need is to find out more and see if fostering is for you.”
Lucy and Charles Humphries, enquired about fostering last year and have never looked back!
Lucy told us “We started to think about fostering at the beginning of lockdown and had lots of conversations with our own children to make sure it was something they understood and were happy for us to do.
“We wanted to foster with the council because we knew we would be helping a local child.
“The process was informative, and our assigned social worker made sure we were prepared for every eventuality in our new role as foster carers.
Charles added “It all seems such a long time ago! Our little fella is such a big part of our family – we wouldn’t be without him; he really does complete our family. To see a little person, adapt, grow in confidence, and feel loved is such an amazing feeling!
“There are so many children needing a loving home, if you can provide one, we fully recommend that you do.”
Foster Care Fortnight has a theme, and this year’s is ‘Fostering Communities’, highlighting everyone involved in the recruitment of new foster carers, through to matching a child or young person with their foster carer, such as social workers, the fostering team and current foster carers, as without a fostering community, fostering wouldn’t be possible.
People interested in becoming a foster carer are encouraged to drop into the information event at the Hippodrome on Thursday 12 May, between 5 and 8pm and visit www.darlington.gov.uk/fostering to find out more.