Foster Care Fortnight
Foster For Swindon!
13 - 25 May 2013
Foster Care Fortnight is the Fostering Network’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and attract new foster carers.
From 13- 26 May with a theme of Get In The Frame, the campaign highlighted the urgent need for more foster carers and called on everyone to get behind fostering and support children in care. This year we particularly focused on the shortage of foster families for teenagers. During the fortnight, fostering services across the UK held events to promote their need for more foster carers.
AT LEAST 600 new foster families are needed in the south west of England during 2013 to look after the children in care who need to be fostered, according to figures from the Fostering Network. On any one day, there is now a record 5,450 children living with foster families in the south west, with many more coming in and out of care throughout the year.
A shortage of foster carers means some children have to live too far from family and friends, change school and be split up from brothers and sisters. More foster families would mean more children could live with the right foster carer and not be moved around the care system.
Swindon Borough Council has joined this national campaign to encourage more foster carers to help the growing number of young people who are entering the social care system. We will be staffing a booth at the Brunel Centre on the 16th, 17th and 18th May.
A shortage of foster carers means some children have to live too far from family and friends, change school and be split up from brothers and sisters. More foster families would mean more children could live with the right foster carer and not be moved around the care system.
Foster Carers receive ongoing training and an allowance. There is someone available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to call and talk with
Fostering with Swindon Borough Council offers a range of fostering options
Temporary
Providing care for children with the goal of returning them to their family.
Permanent
Where the plan is for children to remain in care until moving to independence.
Crisis/Emergency
Very short-term care provided for families in crisis. This includes “crash pads” in a range of circumstances.
Home & Away
Overnight short breaks for children with disabilities.
Supported Lodgings
Providing support within a family setting to young people aged 16 – 21 transitioning from foster care to independent living.
The council is particularly looking to find more foster families for teenagers as they are the hardest age group to home and is also on the look-out for more Supported Lodgings carers. Supported Lodging is a form of independent living in a family setting for young people aged between 16 and 21 who may have been in foster care and are not yet ready to live on their own.
Come see us at the Brunel Shopping Centre in town centre. 16th, 17th, 18th May
For more information please contact the Family Placement Team on 01793 465700 or email familyplacement@swindon.gov.uk; www.swindon.gov.uk
Additional information is available on the Fostering Network’s website
Walking Festival - Saturday 4th May 2013, Lydiard Park
Walking Festival month launches on Saturday 4th May with a 3 mile guided walk at Lydiard Park. The walk starts at 11 am and more information is available at www.swindontravelchoices.org.uk or by calling Swindon (01793) 465413. A full brochure of events has been produced and is available for download here.