Many new foster carers are desperately needed across Nottinghamshire, says the county council.
As of 2021, there were 490 foster carers across Nottinghamshire with enough places for 795 foster children in the county.
Foster carers are given a lot of support from the county as well as a weekly allowance to help with caring for the children they choose to foster.
Foster Care Associates are a private foster care organisation who offer a variety of services to help children across the country, including having an office in Mansfield to help those in and around Nottinghamshire.
John Platt, managing director at Foster Care Associates Mansfield said: “Fostering can be hard work it can also be very rewarding too.”
Mr Platt was involved in a recent survey where foster parents reported that fostering was actually good for their confidence and self-esteem.
He added: “They are for me heroes that don’t seek the limelight and are unsung heroes.”
The council are hoping to encourage more to foster as many foster parents have said how fulfilling and rewarding the role is.
“They are for me heroes that don’t seek the limelight”
John Platt, managing director at Foster Care Associates
Every year more and more children need foster placements, as over 57,000 children are living with foster families across the UK.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “They play an amazing and vital role in caring for some of our county’s most vulnerable children.
“We currently have 229 foster carers who do an amazing job, but we need many, many more for all of the Nottinghamshire children who need a safe home.”
Nottinghamshire county council offer extra support for those who chose to foster through specialist services, support from a social worker and various courses to learn more about fostering and how to help children with varying needs.
Social workers are the back bone of the fostering world as they help children find placements which fit them and they support foster carers through any difficulties they have.
Maureen, a foster carer of over 25 years said: “You have a social worker working with you and the child has their own social worker too.
“You are fully supported in every aspect at every stage, there is always someone there for you, it’s a really great support team.”
Join an online information event with fostering staff and carers to find out more on Thursday 2 February at 1pm and Thursday 23 February at 5.15pm, with lots more planned throughout the year.
There will also be in person drop-in sessions held at Stapleford Library on at Retford Morrisons on Thursday 9 February, 10.30am to 12.30pm where you can come along and meet the team.
Find out about more events and how to join at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/FosteringEvents.
Or contact the fostering recruitment team directly:
Fostering@nottinghamshire.gov.uk
0115 804 4440
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/foster
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