Have you ever thought about being a foster carer?

Would you like to care for children who are not your own?

Can you provide a safe home and family life experience to a child or young person in need?

Foster care fortnight is happening all over the country between May 10 and May 23 with this year’s theme focusing on why people care - #whywecare.

If you are thinking about embarking on a journey to become a foster carer then Bolton Fostering Team is on hand to support you every step of the way.

They can provide answers to those initial burning questions, giving the best advice about what it takes to care for children in their care as well as support you through the assessment process and beyond.

It takes a special person to become a foster carer and provide a safe space in a familiar place but with the right support and training, which your council will provide, together we can support every child who needs help.

Fostering for your local council enables a child or children to remain in familiar surroundings, providing some stability when they are at their most vulnerable, allowing them to attend school as normal.

Here are just a few good reasons why fostering with your local council should be your first and best choice.

Bolton Council is a not for profit organization and local authorities place children with their ‘in house’ foster carers first, so you’re unlikely to have an empty bed for long.

You will receive a regular allowance as well as other payments to meet the child’s needs including expenses such as mileage and there is help available for equipment and resources such as furniture, baby gates and cots.

You will have your own dedicated personal supervising social worker who will visit you regularly and there is also a team on duty in the office every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There is a full, ongoing training programme that continues after you are approved and you will be linked with an experienced buddy carer in addition to support groups for carers and their children.

Each child’s social worker and other professionals work for the council, which improves communication and there is access to an independent advice and mediation worker from the fostering network.

Keep an eye out or free leisure centre access schemes and discount schemes aimed at foster carers.

Fostering means caring for a child or children who are not your own and looking after them at home with your own family.

Research shows that children can grow and develop in a more positive and social way if they are looked after in a family home environment.

When you become a foster carer, you will be expected to treat foster children as part of your family even if they are only placed with you for a short period of time.

Fostering is vital in turning around the lives of children and their families who are in need and they are placed into the council’s care for a wide variety of reasons.

Some children will need an overnight stay while others may require a few days or several months and those with special needs require extra support.

Some children may have suffered abuse or been caught in the centre of a family crisis and by becoming a foster carer, you can help to give families the time to rebuild their lives.

While fostering focuses on the needs of the individual child, the fostering team will also ensure that the foster carer and their family receive the support they need as well.

By deciding to become a foster carer for Bolton, you will be making a positive contribution to a child’s life.