North Tyneside council is looking for people to open their homes to foster children as part of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.
Every year, tens of thousands of children across the UK need foster carers while they can’t live with their own families meaning thousands of new foster carers are needed.
The council is recruiting foster carers, especially those willing to look after older children, teenagers and sibling groups.
The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity is running a campaign ‘Foster Care Fortnight’ to raise the profile of fostering and is taking place between May 9 and 20.
Anne, a foster carer in North Tyneside, has been fostering for ten years and describes it as being ‘extremely rewarding’.
Speaking of her experience of fostering with the council, she said: ‘Fostering is very challenging. I have experienced many ups and downs and every young person I have cared for has been unique.
“It’s a learning experience, training is provided and your never left to just get on with things. We have a very strong network of foster carers who are supportive.
“Being a foster carer is an emotional roller-coaster, but its extremely rewarding. My young people have moved on to independence and they still keep in touch!”
North Tyneside Council children’s services was rated ‘outstanding’ at the last Ofsted inspection in 2020.
There are many different types of fostering and each carer chooses what is right for them and their family. Fostering can be anything from taking a child into your home for one weekend a month, to looking after them on a full-time basis for a few months, or perhaps permanently. For example, the council’s emergency and short-break schemes provide someone with the flexibility to continue to work and earn extra income as part of a rota.
The council offers foster carers competitive allowances, training and support.
The council is also set to launch the Mockingbird Project, a pioneering programme which provides support for foster carers through the concept of an ‘extended family’. The project has been successful in other areas across the country and North Tyneside is set to introduce its first Mockingbird family in September.
For more information about fostering in North Tyneside, email fostering@northtyneside.gov.uk or call (0191) 643 2540.
