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More foster carers are urgently needed - especially for teenagers.
There are currently 25 children living with 18 foster families in Guernsey and the States' Family Placement Service is using Foster Care Fortnight this week and next week to encourage more carers to come forward.
The Service is raising awareness of fostering through small fluffy creatures which are being dotted around the island and which people are encouraged to take away and through pebbles also dotted around the island which have been decorated by children, carers and staff.
Anyone interested in fostering can talk to the Service at various drop-in sessions over the next two weeks:
Pictured: Drop-in sessions are being held at these locations over the next two weeks for people to learn more about fostering.
"More people are urgently needed to come forward to foster and we have a particular need for those who may be interested in fostering teenagers," said Karen Reade, Team Manager of the Service.
"We want to make sure that we have enough foster carers for our children so they can be cared for in a family environment.
"If you think you have the space in your home and your heart, and the skills needed to help children thrive, please contact us. You can become a foster carer no matter your age, gender, relationship status or sexual orientation. The fostering community is open to everyone who wants to make a difference in a child’s life and we want to invite all the different communities in Guernsey to get involved in fostering.
"We are hugely appreciative of everything our current foster carers do for children in care and we can’t thank them enough. By supporting each other and working together as a team, our fostering community makes sure that our children can grow up in a safe, nurturing and loving environment where they can be supported to reach their full potential."
Pictured: There are currently 18 families fostering in Guernsey and there is an urgent need for more.
The Service would also like to hear from anyone interested in joining its supported lodgings scheme as a mentor. This scheme helps to support young people who are ready to leave care but may not be ready to live alone.
Mentors offer young people guidance and assistance to help them develop practical life skills and emotional maturity as they seek to build an independent life. The role is crucial for young people but does not require the same responsibility as being a foster carer. The Service would like to hear from any individual or family able to provide accommodation and support for young people aged 18 to 21.
"The focus of this year’s campaign will be a series of drop-ins for people who are interested in fostering, along with a campaign including social media to raise awareness of fostering in Guernsey and encourage the recruitment of new foster carers," said Senior Supervising Social Worker Vicki Tennant, who focuses on recruitment and retention of carers.
Pictured: The Family Placement Service also wants to hear from anyone who could mentor young people who are ready to leave care but may not be ready to live on their own yet.
Foster Care Fortnight runs from 9 May to 22 May.
The Service said: "Fostering offers children and young people a home when they are unable to live with their birth family.
"Sometimes, children only stay with a foster family for a few days, while others will live with their foster family for their entire childhood and beyond.
"Foster carers make a significant difference to the lives of fostered children and young people, helping them to flourish and changing their future.
"Not only does fostering vastly benefit the children and young people, but it is also a life changing experience for the foster carers and their families. Foster carers who can care for teenagers and sibling groups are a particular need at the moment. We want to ensure that teenagers can get the support they need whilst still establishing their own independence in a safe and secure way.
"For sibling groups, we want to ensure that children can be cared for together, so they don’t lose vital connections to their family."
Anyone can contact the Service by email at change@guernseyfostercare.com or familyplacementservice@gov.gg or by phone on 01481 223182. The team of social workers are ready to answer questions about fostering.
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