York joins regional search for foster carers

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City of York Council’s fostering team has joined forces with others across the Yorkshire and Humberside region to recruit new foster carers.

Councils across the region have teamed up to create a new ‘Foster4yourcouncil’ website, containing a host of information about fostering.

The site will be officially launched on Yorkshire Day – Sunday 1 August – to celebrate the work of foster carers across the region and the life changing impact they have on children’s lives. The partnership will also host online recruitment and celebration events.

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

Our foster carers are ordinary people doing the most extraordinary job. The stable and caring environment which they provide really does help to change the lives of local children and young people for the better.

“We hope to help raise the profile of foster carers and encourage others to come forward by joining forces with other councils across the region. Yorkshire Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the work of our carers and encourage others to join them.”

Foster parents across the area are backing the campaign and have spoken about how much fostering means to them.

Karen said:

I am always moved and amazed by the babies and children I have fostered: how they soon adapt, settle, learn to trust again and thrive within our family and friends.

“I can’t think of life before our foster girls came to live with us. They are our family now too and wouldn’t be without them.

“Although I love my role as a foster carer, I’m only as good as the team behind me and I couldn’t ask for any better support for us as a family than I have with the fostering team at City of York.”

Rachel said:

‘We love caring for young refugees – seeing them enjoy life, achieve and start to build hope for the future is fantastic after all that they’ve been through.

Each one of the young refugees we look after as foster carers teaches us something – we care for them and as they start to heal and achieve they encourage us.

Louise said:

Setting out on the journey of becoming foster carers can be a nervous time. However from starting the process with York we found it to be a very positive experience.

“Skills to Foster was a great insight into the laws, regulations, therapeutic parenting and safeguarding.  

“We have had lots of support from both our Supervising Social Worker and the Children’s Social Worker. There are also foster carer support groups where you can meet other carers.”

Bernadette said:

“As foster carers we are asked not only to provide for the day-to-day needs of the child, but carry them through the turmoil that their short lives have handed them so far.

To see a child blossom and thrive is the greatest gift you can receive. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Do it!”

City of York Council is always looking for new foster carers to help support children and young people in the city who aren’t able to live with their own families.  And fostering for City of York Council means that prospective foster carers can be sure they’ll be helping support local children.

Find out more about fostering in York on the council website, or from 1 August, visit the Foster for Your Council website and select the section on York. To contact our team, email Fostering@york.gov.uk.

Decision session considers ‘uplift’ to foster carers’ fees

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education will consider plans to provide an increase to York foster carers’ fees at a decision session next week (15 October).

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson will review recommendations made in an independent report into the council’s foster carers’ fee increase, which was commissioned following a decision to cease the uplift in January 2019.

The foster carers’ uplift had been annually linked to any rise in social workers’ salary, but this was ceased so that the funding could be used to provide an enhanced training and support package for foster carers.

The independent report was commissioned following feedback from York Area Foster Carer Association (YAFCA).

The executive member will be asked to consider a number of recommendations in the report, including implementing the fee uplift for foster carers on level one and two of the grading structure in 2019/20, holding an annual conference for foster carers, and also setting out a clear framework for future consultation and communication on decisions relating to the carers.

The decision session takes place on Tuesday 15 October at West Offices from 4pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit:

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young people and Education, City of York Council, said: “Foster carers are an essential part of our support for some of York’s most vulnerable children and young people.

“We recognise the important contribution that foster carers make to our city and we are committed to working in partnership with them.”

York parkrun backs call for more foster carers

York parkrun is getting on its marks to help City of York Council recruit 25 foster carers.

The family-orientated charity is backing the council to find more stable caring foster homes for local children and young people in care.

During Foster Care Fortnight (14-26 May 2018), on Saturday 19 May members of City of York Council’s fostering team will help steward and take part in the weekly race which runs on the Knavesmire.

The need for more carers is to replace those who have retired as well as to look after the children who come into care. These range from babies to teenagers, as well as siblings who need to stay together, and young people with additional needs.

The council is committed to keeping the children in its care in the city, where the best fostering options are and where changes for the children are kept minimal.

The rewards of fostering come with some of the region’s best training and support. And most of all, the satisfaction of helping a child look forward to a brighter future. (more…)

Foster Care Fortnight launches major recruitment shift

People with experience of health, caring and education or youth work are being recruited to a career in fostering with City of York Council.

Interested individuals, couples or those with families are being invited to meet local need for foster care for older children and young people who are unable to live with their own families.

Also, more experienced carers are being recruited to foster children and young people with additional needs such as learning or physical disabilities, for short breaks or the longer term.

Besides ongoing training and support for carers from the council’s team as well as from local foster carers, a financial package is provided that recognises the foster carer’s commitment and care and the level of need they support.
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