Foster Care Fortnight: Don’t let ‘myths’ stop you from becoming a foster carer in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

Foster Care Fortnight runs from May 11-24 and is the UK’s largest foster care awareness raising campaign. It aims to show the positive impact foster care has on children’s and young people’s lives.

Despite the practical and emotional challenges that the coronavirus is bringing, foster carers continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who cannot live with their birth families.

They support children and young people’s education, health and social wellbeing, and also help to maintain the children’s relationship with the people who are important to them but who they cannot currently see in person.

Both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are keen to hear from people who can care for sibling groups of brothers and sisters, children with additional needs and teenagers.

Cllr Simon Bywater, Cambridgeshire County Council Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “We are always looking for local people who are interested in becoming foster carers and urge you to apply if you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and the dedication to help children and young people thrive.”

Cllr Lynne Ayres, Peterborough City Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We have made arrangements to progress your enquiries through phone or video calls.

“If you decide to go further then we will discuss the next stages with you. We hope being part of Foster Care Fortnight again this year will give our work an extra boost and help us reach even more potential carers.”

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Foster care transforms the lives of children and young people as well as those of the foster carers and their families. This has never been more important.

“Foster carers help children and young people flourish and fulfil their potential, as well as provide a vital service to our society. Because this happens mainly in the privacy of their own homes – especially at the moment – their contributions too often go unnoticed.

“Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of foster carers and their families as well as recognising how transformational foster care can be for the children and young people who need it.”

Every year more foster carers are needed across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to make sure fostered children can live with the right foster carer for them. Despite the coronavirus, this year is no different, so anyone who thinks they might have the skills and experience to become a foster carer is urged to contact the fostering services.

People should not rule themselves out or let ‘myths’ stop them from making an enquiry:

. Depending which type of fostering you choose, working is not a barrier

. You are never too old to foster

. If you have your own children or no children the councils want to hear from you

. The councils do not expect foster carers to be perfect - they want people who can offer safe, secure and loving homes

. You can be in a same0sex relationship, married, single or living with a partner.

Carers receive payments and allowances to help cover their time and expenses, as well as advice and guidance so they are supported every step of the way.

To find out more about fostering in Cambridgeshire, visit https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/fostering-and-adoption or email [email protected] or call 0800 052 0078.

For Peterborough, visit https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/fostering-and-adoption/fostering or email [email protected] or call 0800 328 8433.