East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s fostering service is to hold an information event about becoming foster carers.
The Find Out About Fostering event will be held at Tickton Grange Hotel, Tickton, near Beverley on Tuesday, 18 September and will start at 6.30pm.
At the event, people interested in becoming a foster carer will have the opportunity to
* talk to fostering social workers and discuss suitability
* meet foster carers and their birth children
* talk to looked after young people and hear about their experiences and what they want
* find out about free professional training.
Foster carers are approved to look after a specified number, age and gender of children. Some people prefer working with older children and teenagers while others are more skilled at looking after babies and toddlers,
Prospective foster carers should ideally be over 25, they can be single, married or cohabiting. Some foster carers have their own children while others don’t.
Dave Glenville, fostering team leader at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Almost anyone can apply to be a foster carer, but as with any career, some people will be more suited to it than others.
“Foster carers must be able to offer the time, commitment, space and skills to care for children separated from their own families.
“Key qualities include being a great listener, having a good sense of humour, being optimistic, having your feet firmly on the ground and resilience.
“This event is designed to give people who are interested in fostering a chance to meet people who are already involved and find out if becoming a foster carer is for them.
“This can be the beginning of a journey that can have rewards for everyone involved and can change lives forever.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer or would like to book a place at the event, please contact East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s fostering team on (01482) 396673.
