Foster carers needed

5.04.51pm GMT Mon 28th Dec 2009

• RESIDENTS are being called on to consider whether they can make a difference to a young person's life - by becoming a foster carer.

Richmond Council is making the appeal in a bid to boost support for local young people. Carers are needed for a variety of roles ranging from those who offer short term cover for other carers, to those providing support on a full time, permanent basis.

Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Culture on Richmond Council, said: "Becoming a foster parent is your chance to make a real difference to a young person's life. Many of the children and young people who come into our care will have come from difficult family backgrounds and it is foster carers who are able to provide them with a secure and stable home life. These children then have a chance to build fulfilling and enjoyable lives. We already have a number of carers in the borough, they do a fantastic job, but we need more. It is a life changing role; at times it can be very tough, but it can also be extremely rewarding. They are ordinary people, who provide a very special and important service. I would urge anyone interested to contact our team to find out more."

The Council will provide training, regular supervision visits and out of hours support. There is also financial assistance with all foster carers paid an allowance to cover the cost of looking after a young person. Anyone interested in becoming a carer will need to have enough room in their home to accommodate a child or young person, and sufficient time to foster. They must also be willing to undergo an assessment, which will involve checks and references. For more information about fostering please contact fostering.info@richmond.gov.uk

Who can become a foster carer?

• Carers from all cultural, religious and social backgrounds are welcome.

• Carers can be single, married or living with someone, straight or gay.

• It is not necessary to have your own children, but it is often helpful if you have some experience of children.

• To become a foster carer you must live in, or within easy commute of the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.

• You will need to have enough room in your home to accommodate a child or young person.

• You also need to have sufficient time to foster, being mindful that carers may need to attend meetings in the day or care for a child if they are not at school.

• Carers must be willing to undergo an assessment, which will involve checks and references.

Different types of fostering:

• Task Centered

Foster carers look after children while plans are made for their future. Often the plan will be for the child to return to their birth family, and where this is not possible younger children will usually be adopted. If older children are not able to return to their birth families, then task centered foster carers will often look after them until they reach adulthood and can live independently.

• Permanent

Sometimes children cannot return to live with their birth families and adoption is not appropriate. Usually this applies to children who are considered too old for adoption, and who often continue to have regular contact with their birth families. These children and young people need to live with permanent or long-term foster carers.

• Respite

Respite fostering is where foster carers provide very short periods of care for children who either live at home or with a foster carer. This will usually be a regular arrangement such as one weekend per month or up to two-week periods during holidays, or in other specific circumstances. Respite is usually agreed for more challenging, and often older children, so we particularly need respite carers who can look after teenagers.

• Supported Lodgings

This scheme provides placements for young people aged 16-21 years (possibly older if in full time education) who are care leavers and defined as eligible. The scheme is similar to fostering, although the young people will be expected to mainly take responsibility for themselves. Supported lodgings providers are required to provide support to the young person with regard to budgeting, cooking, and other practical self-care skills, as well as advising them on personal and relationship issues.

• Specialist Fostering Scheme

This scheme is intended for the more challenging young people. To apply for this scheme you must have at least one year's experience of working in a professional capacity with young people. Because of the amount of care, supervision and attention these young people need, one of the foster carers (if a couple) should not be working, or be willing to give up work when approved. Single applicants should also not be working, or be prepared to give up work when approved.

For further information about this scheme, please call 0800 085 7072.

• Family and friends or kinship fostering

Where children who are looked after by a local authority are cared for by people they already know. This can be very beneficial for children, and is called "family and friends" or "kinship" fostering. If they are not looked after by the local authority, children can live with their aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters or grandparents without outside involvement.

• Private fostering

Where parents make an arrangement for their child to stay with someone else who is not a close relative and has no parental responsibilities, for a period of more than 27 days. Although this is a private arrangement, there are special rules about how the child is looked after. The local authority must be told about the arrangements and visit to check on the child's welfare.

Related Link:

• Permanent Fostering Campaign