Foster carers wanted

As we head into 2022, the start of the new year offers the perfect opportunity to form new goals and make changes to enable you to help others.

Right now, Blackpool Council needs foster carers more than ever and especially those willing to look after siblings.

There are currently around 294 children in care in what are known as external placements in Blackpool. This includes children in residential care, some of whom are awaiting a loving foster home.

By becoming a foster carer, you can make a positive difference to the lives of children and provide them with a safe and loving home.

For children whose lives are turned upside down, staying with their brother or sister can be vital. Keeping siblings together can give them a sense of belonging and stability, and the opportunity to grow up together.

A child's relationship with their brother or sister can be one of the most important they have in their life. By fostering siblings, you can help to maintain their relationship.

There are specific challenges that may arise when fostering siblings including behavioural or emotional needs due to the impact of trauma that they have experienced, and foster carers are allocated a dedicated supervising social worker to offer support.

Foster carers also benefit from a full package of support, including enhanced generous allowances, regular support groups, peer mentors for new carers and an out of hours support and advice line.

If you’re thinking of fostering siblings, you will need to have a spare room for each child – unless they’re able to share – and have the time and energy to meet the needs of each individual.

Your suitability to foster siblings will be looked at as part of our initial training and assessment to become a foster carer.

Foster carers choose the type of fostering that is most suited to them and their family life. They can provide a child or children with a home for a few weeks, months or even years.

To find out more, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/fostering or call 01253 420222