Cambridgeshire's fostering service launches campaign to encourage more carers

The campaign was launched this week at The Abbey Stadium in Cambridge to help find foster homes for some of the hundreds of youngsters in care in the county.

The campaign logo and theme - ‘We support Team Cambridgeshire’ - the new look for Cambridgeshire County Council’s Fostering Service, is designed to highlight the support available for new foster carers.

Councillor Simon Bywater, chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s children and young people committee, said at the launch: “Our fostering team is made up of around 138 households based across Cambridgeshire. Some have just joined us and others have been fostering with us for 40 years or more.

“We urgently need even more local people to follow in their footsteps.”

“There are lots of different types of fostering, and opportunities to care for children and young people of all ages. So whatever your background or experience, please get in touch to find out more about how you can play your part in Team Cambridgeshire.

“Team Cambridgeshire is all about providing local homes, for local children.

“Fostering is a rewarding role for anyone who wants to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.”

“Cambridgeshire County Council urgently needs more people like you to join Team Cambridgeshire and foster children in the county.”

There are currently more than 700 children in care in Cambridgeshire who need a home, that is both stable and supportive.

A foster carer with Team Cambridgeshire is supported 24 hours a day seven days a week and help is on hand when you need it.

Cambridgeshire County Council offers comprehensive training, 24-hour support and generous allowances. Carers can also earn additional payments as they develop their skills and experience.

To be a foster carer you need to be over 21. Foster carers can be single, married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner.

The service welcomes applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and from people who have their own children, as well as those who haven’t raised children of their own.

You don’t need to be a homeowner to foster.

To find out more about joining Team Cambridgeshire call Cambridgeshire County Council on 
0800 052 0078 or visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering.

As well as preparation training, the fostering service offers:

. Competitive financial support

. Access to a training programme featuring over 50 locally run courses

. 24/7 access to local support

. Loan of equipment

. Peer support through foster carer support groups

. Mentoring and supervision

. Induction programme

. FosterTalk membership: unlimited, independent advice.