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As Foster Care Fortnight starts, another appeal has gone out for people to offer a home to children of all ages who are unable to live with their own families.
Guernsey's Family Placement Service said there is a current need for people who can care for pre-school aged children, sibling groups and teenagers.
They also need more short break carers who can give flexible time to support children with disabilities who are living at home with their families. Alongside this, the Family Placement Service is also actively wishing to speak with individuals and families who are interested in adoption.
Supervising Social Worker Emma Beaven, who focuses on recruitment and retention of carers, said: “The focus of this year’s campaign will largely be Online and through the media but we hope that everyone can still join in on some of the things we have planned to raise awareness of fostering in Guernsey and encourage the recruitment of new foster carers.Keep a look out for photos of our Travelling Ted’s, Joe and Swissroll, who have been making the most of their two hours exercise each day to explore different parts of the island. Can you guess where they are?
"You might also come across pebbles that have been painted with #thisisfostering and #FCF2020 around the island. A big thank you to Love Pebbles Gsy who made us 14 of her fantastic creations and the rest have all been beautifully decorated by some of our Looked after Children, carers and staff.”
The Family Placement Service said it is also pleased to announce staff have launched a new look website to promote fostering, adoption and short break care for children with disabilities in Guernsey. Whilst the service has maintained a website for a number of years, the time has come to provide a more up to date and user friendly portal for people to find out more information and think about how they might get involved. The new website can be found at guernseyfostercare.com.
Pictured: Karen Reade (right).
Alongside the new website, the Family Placement Service is launching a Facebook page to provide another way to connect directly with the community about all things fostering and adoption in Guernsey. The page will aim to keep people up to date with news and events from the Service as well as highlighting information and research relevant to looked after children. Check in regularly with this page on Facebook, located at ‘Guernsey Foster Care and Adoption’, throughout Foster Care FortnightTM and on an ongoing basis to keep up to date with the Service.
Karen Reade, Team Manager of the Family Placement Service said “I have been working with foster carers for over 25 years and I have seen what an incredible difference foster carers make to children and young people. Foster carers literally change lives. If you want to be part of this life changing role and think you could offer the support, stability and care to help change a child's future, please get in touch with us at change@guernseyfostercare.com or phone us on 713230. Our team of social workers are ready to answer any questions you have about fostering and we look forward to speaking toyou. “
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