10 - 23 May is Foster Care Fortnight

Whilst this year is of course very different, Foster4, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington Councils’ foster carer recruitment service, is promoting the need for more carers as widely as ever during this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.

Using the national theme, #whywecare, Foster4 will be highlighting the need for more carers to join their 450+ households who already undertake this incredible role, by detailing what motivates them to care.

Foster4 is also launching their landmark ‘3 Ways’ Strategy, that sets out who they are, what they do and three distinct ways residents can get involved, even if fostering isn’t for them.

Councillor Bob Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “With the refreshed sense of community spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to show how supporting vulnerable local children should be everyone’s business. Our new strategy sets out ways that residents can get involved even if they’re not in a position to become a foster carer themselves. This could involve engaging with our service, sharing our social media posts or even a business offering an employment opportunity for a young carer leaver.

“With the shift to homeworking, fostering has become more accessible than ever. If it’s something you’ve thought of, now could be the time to take that first step."

Councillor Margaret Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s member of Foster4, added: “Our foster carers play such an important role supporting our children in care and we need even more people across west Cheshire to become foster carers and provide a stable home for local children. If you can help in anyway, such as by referring a friend or family member who you know could be a great foster carer, please pass on Foster4’s contact details. In doing so, you’ll be playing your part to help ensure children and young people in your area have safe and happy childhoods and more positive futures.”

If you’re great with children and young people, we’d love to hear from you. Read the new strategy and request an info pack today at www.foster4.co.uk.

Keep up with the latest developments in the service on Facebook and Instagram @foster4cheshire

Foster Care Fortnight is a national campaign organised by the charity The Fostering Network, which aims to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.