CAN you offer children and young people in foster care a home?

Somerset County Council is urging experienced former foster carers and prospective new foster carers to sign up, promising a rewarding career working with the authority fostering children and young people.

Every foster carer interviewed by Ofsted during a recent inspection of the service in Somerset said they would recommend fostering for the authority.

The carers who took part in the inspection also said that they value the essential training they receive from the authority, their inclusion in the service, and new developments being made to improve the service.

Carers will be given a wealth of training and development opportunities, financial support if you attend training courses, consistent and regular placements, specialist teams for support and a pay progression scheme.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for children and families at Somerset County Council, said: “We hugely value our foster carers and the vital work they do to support the children in Somerset who need our care.

“They give so much through their time, love, care, and commitment to helping these children and young people. But we’re also clear that, as a Council, we have a great deal to offer our foster carers in return for their dedication and professionalism.

“There are lots of people in Somerset with the skills, time and energy to come forward and foster, and we urge them to consider making that very rewarding leap with us.”

To find out more about fostering, including taking the council’s online ‘Can I foster or adopt with Somerset County Council?’ quiz, visit fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk or phone 0800 5879900.

The council is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight 2015 (June 1-14) by encouraging people in Somerset to consider fostering at two information events: 

  • Wednesday June 3, Fox and Hounds Pub, Tytherington nr Frome, BA11 5BN, 7pm-9pm. The event offers information on both fostering and adoption, and includes a presentation on becoming an approved foster carer, starting at 7pm.
  • Wednesday June 10, Canalside, Bridgwater, TA6 6LQ, 7pm-9pm. This event features a question and answer session with foster carers about fostering older children and teenagers. The social work team and foster carers will be on hand to chat to people on both dates.