Published on:
04
June 2008
Resourcefulness, patience, planning and a sense of humour - some of the skills needed to become a successful Clackmannanshire foster carer.
Following the success of national 'Foster Care Fortnight' last month, local carers will gather later this week to launch an all-new Clackmannanshire fostering recruitment information pack.
The event takes place at Greenfield House on Thursday 5th June at 1.30pm when Provost Derek Stewart will join local carers to launch the new packs.
The Council has also re-vamped the Adoption Information Pack, making sure that interested members of the public are provided with the most up-to-date and relevant information when inquiring about these important subjects. The fostering recruitment information pack covers a wide range of topics from the stages of the application process to training and support opportunities.
There are currently 22 foster families in Clackmannanshire looking after 76 foster children. Clackmannanshire Council estimates that we need at least 12 more people to come forward and foster children in the year ahead.
Provost Derek Stewart said: "We are looking for carers from a range of backgrounds, they could be couples or single, and they may or may not already have children. By fostering for the Council you can help a youngster to maintain their important education and community links.
"Our fostering team are very friendly, and are happy to spend time answering any questions, and the launch of the new Clackmannanshire Council fostering pack will only make it easier for carers to find out all the information they need."
The Council's Fostering and Adoption Team Manager Ilene Easdon-Hynds would be delighted to hear from young people, older people, single people, people who work part-time and people who don't have their own children.
"I would like to hear from people who may not think of themselves as typical foster carers. Personal circumstances are less important than the ability to supply a safe, secure and stable home environment for children or young people in need. We need carers who can provide a variety of care such as covering weekends and holidays as well as full-time," she said.
All foster carers receive an allowance to make sure that they are not out of pocket when caring for a child. An excellent training programme is also offered.
Ilene added: "The Council aims to keep brothers and sisters together whenever possible, and to enable children to maintain close links with their local community, so we want to recruit carers who can provide that resource. The benefit of being a Council foster carer is that there is a huge support network on your doorstep. It is also better for the children involved if they get to stay at their own school with their friends and can still attend their hobbies such as football or brownies because they are being fostered in their own community."
For more information about fostering call 01259 225000 or visit www.clacksweb.org.uk.