Could you foster a child? Appeal for more carers in Lancashire

Dozens of people have called Lancashire County Council in response to the first wave of a regional campaign to recruit more foster carers – but more are still needed.

County Coun. Susie Charles, cabinet member for children and schools, said: “I’m delighted with the success of the campaign so far.

“The people of Lancashire have responded with typical warmth and generosity to our appeal and the telephones in our recruitment office have been buzzing.

“The next Skills to Foster courses, which I understand people very much enjoy, are all filled up with 11 new families and our staff are having to arrange more.”

She added: “We still need many more foster carers, both because of the numbers of children we look after, and because we need a good range of foster carers to meet the needs of each individual child, which vary as much as the children themselves.

“We know that coming into care is a difficult transition, with new surroundings and new faces to get used to, and these children and young people have already had more than their fair share of life’s difficulties.

“But research shows that children and young people who are placed with a family tend to do better than those who are placed in residential homes, and that’s why we are trying to recruit as many of our own foster carers as possible.

“It also makes good financial sense for the county council. It costs more to look after a child in a residential home, or with a private fostering agency, so that’s another good reason to recruit more foster carers.

“I should like to thank everyone who has contacted us so far, and to say to those who may still be wondering about taking that first step: don’t miss out. Please join the many people who are finding out how rewarding fostering can be.”

Anyone interested in fostering can contact the team via www.youcanfoster.org or ring 0800 195 1183.