South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 28/08/2015

Could you care for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life?

We are looking for foster carers from every walk of life to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people. And if you want to find out about more about the rewarding role you can come to our Fostering Information Evening on Tuesday 8 September.

Families, couples, same-sex couples and singles who are homeowners or renting are invited to find out more. The only requirement is that you have the time, energy, space and flexibility to be there for someone else’s child.

Foster carer Margaret Williams from Yate uses her hands to proudly reel off the names of the children she has cared for. But the 60-year-old great grandmother jokes that she “always runs out of fingers” as she has fostered more than 13 children over nearly ten years.

Margaret remembers the names – and the smiles – of every child she has been there for since January 2006. She is currently caring for an 11-year-old boy, and says fostering was “the best decision she ever made” as her home is now “full of laughter”.

She said: “I love the idea that I’m doing something to help children. I find it very, very rewarding because you get to see the children achieving so many things.

“There are ups and downs, but when you see that huge smile on a child’s face, it makes it all worthwhile. Nothing beats fostering, it’s not always easy, but it’s the best job in the world.”

Cllr Jon Hunt, Chair of Children and Young People Committee, said: “Fostering can be extremely difficult at times, but foster carers receive ongoing training, support and weekly payments to provide the care, support and attention that a child needs. The role is about welcoming children who are unable to live with their birth families into your own home. In South Gloucestershire, there is currently a need to home older children and siblings.

“If you are interested in becoming a foster carer it isn’t as difficult as you may think. The process is clear and straightforward, and the fostering team is on hand to help.”

Come along to the Fostering Information Evening at South Gloucestershire Council, Badminton Road, Yate, on Tuesday 8 September from 7pm to 9pm.

For more information, call the fostering team free on 0800 206 1443, email fostering@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/fostering