13 May 2013
Islanders can find out about fostering and adoption at a drop-in centre which has been set up in Liberty Wharf as part of a two-week recruitment campaign.
Fostering and Adoption Team members will chat informally about what is involved to anyone visiting the temporary centre, which is open from 10am to 4.30pm every day until Friday 24 May, excluding Sunday 19 May.
The ‘Making a space for a child in your life is an amazing thing to do' campaign, which coincides with the UK’s national foster carers fortnight, is running from 13 to 24 May and follows last year's pop-up shop success.
Needs of children
Emmy Lindsey, Manager for the Fostering and Adoption Team, said "Since the last campaign we have been able to approve six more prospective adopters and six new foster carers. This increase gives us more choice when needing to place children and ensures that we have the right foster carers and adopters to best meet the needs of the children.
"The Fostering and Adoption Team will provide support, supervision and training for all foster carers and adopters. We will help carers develop particular skills and abilities to look after children and young people with challenging behaviours and complex needs.
"Whilst Jersey still needs more foster carers, the team is also very interested in hearing from people who would like to consider adopting older children or siblings. The important thing is to recruit people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life."
Thrive in a new family
The campaign aims to attract people who can help a child move on from the reasons why they came into care and go on to thrive in a new family.
"Adoption is different today than in the past," she added; "Jersey now has a dedicated team committed to supporting adopted children and their families in the long term and working in a creative and flexible way to ensure stability."
The team can also be contacted by email.
Email the Fostering and Adoption Team
gov.je