25 August 2023
The Government of Jersey has today launched a new campaign to recruit more foster carers for
teenagers.
‘Making Time for Teens’ aims to encourage more people to consider fostering teenagers, which
could help change their lives.
This campaign runs until 8 September and features social media advertising and digital advertising.
Anyone interested in exploring becoming a foster carer for teenagers can contact the Fostering and
Adoption team to find out more.
In Jersey, there are currently 22 Mainstream Foster Carers, 13 Connected Carers, 4 Specialist Short
Break Carers and 3 Intensive Foster carers.
Team Manager for Fostering and Adoption Jersey, Sarah Wakeham, said: “There are children and
young people of varying ages in Jersey who would benefit from safe, loving foster placements.
Sometimes, people don’t always realise that teenagers need a foster home. We’re so grateful to all
our foster parents in Jersey who do such fantastic work, opening their homes to the children and
young people who need that support.
“Now we’re asking more Islanders to consider taking on the role of a fostering parent. It’s a
detailed process, with full training and support on-hand. If you feel like you can make time for a
teenager in your life, we’d love to hear from you.”
The campaign features Ceira, now 22, who was fostered for six months at the age of 16. Speaking
about the campaign, Ceira said: “Having somewhere that I knew I was going to bed at night and
where I knew someone was going to smile at me when I was walking out the door to school in the
morning made all the difference.”
She added: “You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be human, and you need to be caring,
and with these combined you have the potential to be a foster carer. That’s all you’ve got to do.”
Assistant Minister for Children and Education, Connétable Richard Vibert, said: “We’ve had a
positive response to all our campaigns this year, and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who came
forward from those campaigns.
“We are now asking more Islanders to consider fostering teenagers, who are often overlooked in
the care system. Fostering a teenager can be a daunting experience, but one which will be hugely
rewarding for all involved and will make a significant difference to their lives.
“Providing teenagers with a caring home will allow them to feel safe and secure and improve their
self-esteem at a particularly vulnerable time.”
Anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer in Jersey can contact the Fostering and
Adoption Team on: (01534) 443970 or email fosteringandadoption@health.gov.je
gov.je