14 May 2018
Fostering and Adoption Jersey is launching a new campaign to recruit 25 new foster carers. The new campaign is launched today (Monday 14 May) to coincide with National Foster Care Fortnight (14-27 May).
Foster care can make a real difference to the future of children and young people and it also has the power to change the lives of foster carers, their families and all those who are involved in fostering.
Emmy Lindsey, Team Manager Fostering and Adoption Jersey said: ‘We currently have 50 children being cared for by 27 foster carers and 20 carers who are connected to the children they are looking after. We want to recruit another 25 carers, so we can double our pool of foster carers. This would enable us to offer a home for a child more quickly, and to care for more children with complex needs.”
The Fostering and Adoption team wants people to consider looking after children with additional needs, for example children with autism, learning or physical difficulties. Foster carers can take on the role full-time, or they can provide regular short breaks to families, giving the children involved a different experience.
Natalie Spooner, Team Manager of the Complex Needs Team, said: ‘We provide services to children and young people with a disability and/or complex health needs, and we are looking for carers who can offer short break fostering for the children we are working with.
“We support between 85 and 100 children at any one time, from a variety of backgrounds and communities. By becoming a short-break foster carer for a child with a disability, you will be promoting the child’s independence and providing new social opportunities, while involving the child in the community.
“You will also be enabling parents to spend quality time with their children, so the whole family unit benefits. It’s rewarding to see that you can make a real difference to a family’s life, sometimes to the extent of preventing family breakdown.’
Jersey needs foster carers from all walks of life: married or single, mixed or same-sex couples, as well as those from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Foster carers receive full training, as well as support and financial assistance, throughout their time caring for foster children.
You can find out more from members of the Fostering and Adoption Team, and the Complex Needs Team, at the Jersey Library on Thursday, 24 May, Friday, 25 May and Saturday, 26 May from 10am to 4pm.
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