The award-winning fostering team at North Lincolnshire Council are today launching their 12 days of fostering to highlight not only the continued need for foster carers, but the ongoing support of the whole community.
Across the month of December, the 12 days of fostering showcases videos from local businesses voicing their reasons for being fostering friendly and why they believe all children deserve the chance to have high aspirations to reach for the stars and why being a part of the fostering community is so important to them.
The Christmas period is a time for families, warmth, kindness, and hope. This year you can make a difference by helping to develop a community where the importance of fostering is understood, recognised, and supported, by appreciating and championing our inspiring foster carers.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families, and communities, launches the videos with her own message, full of hope, passion, and determination, and said: “At Christmas time, which is fast approaching, there are random acts of kindness everywhere; lots of gifts, love, warmth, and family time together.
“Unfortunately, not all our children are able to have that time with their family and that’s where our foster carers step in.
“A brilliant army of people working with our children, making Christmas the best they can.
“Being a Fostering Friendly employer at North Lincolnshire Council, I’m really pleased to show that we are making a level playing field for people that foster, just the same as the considerations we give to people that have their own children, showing a strong social responsibility for our children in care.
“Being a fostering friendly employer is one of the best things you can do. I’m excited to see 12 videos showing you different aspects of fostering and the amazing and wonderful foster carers that we have.”
The fostering team would like to invite you to consider becoming fostering friendly, if you aren’t already, whether it takes the shape of hosting a fostering event to raise awareness and share information, offer an experience day for children in care, work experience or flexibility and agility in working within an open and honest culture for employees who foster.
Harley Young aged 15 of HY Racing, whose parents are foster carers believe they are a true inspiration, and said: “My parents are my role models. They’ve opened my eyes to the world.
“I didn’t think I’d be emotional about being in a foster family – I already feel I’ve experienced guiding others and want to share this experience.”
A newly joined member of the scheme, Rands Solicitors are going to be offering work experience to young people in care, discounts to foster carers, supporting at fostering events and including support for employees who wish to consider fostering.
Susan Rands, CEO of Rands Solicitors, said: “As newly signed up Fostering Friendly members, Rands Solicitors are proud to support because we understand the difficult processes families go through.
“Having worked closely with families for over 30 years within care proceedings, we are passionate and understand how traumatic it is for children in the care system. We also understand how hard foster carers work to ensure children in their care receive a safe and secure environment.”
In the coming weeks, you can meet the fostering team to find out more about being fostering friendly or enquire about fostering itself on:
• Sunday 3 December, Jerry Green Christmas Market, 11am to 3pm
• Saturday 9 December, Normanby Hall Christmas Market, 10am to 4pm
• Wednesday 24 January, Online Information Evening, 6.30pm to 8pm, register to attend via Eventbrite.
Alongside the events, you can live chat with the fostering recruitment team which has also launched today. If you have a fostering query or question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team via their live chat on the website.
Nationally there is a shortfall of over 7,000 foster carers in the UK. Foster care enables children to remain connected to their family and community. Within North Lincolnshire, the fostering service strives to ensure that children stay in their local areas when they are unable to live with their birth families or relatives.
Follow the team this Christmas on the North Lincolnshire Council’s Facebook page and at the above events to find out more about how you could join the fostering community. You can watch the 12 days videos on the North Lincolnshire Council’s YouTube channel throughout December. Alternatively, contact the Fostering team today by emailing fostering@northlincs.gov.uk, calling 01724 297024 or visit the website to find out more.
