Appeal for foster carers in Torbay

AN URGENT appeal for more foster carers has been made in Torbay.

Torbay Foster Care Service is seeking more foster carers and a number of events will be running in November to encourage more people to come forward.

The recruitment events are being held because there is a shortage of foster carers in Torbay, which reflects the picture nationally. Almost anyone will be considered irrespective of age, gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, marital or residential status. The most important thing is to offer a child a safe, supportive and caring home.

 

Approved and registered foster carers with Torbay Council will be given a named social worker to support and guide them. A weekly allowance for each child fostered as well as an additional payment recognising skills and abilities is available. Monthly support groups and training is offered in addition to membership of a national support network and access to specialist support.

 

Executive Lead for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Chris Lewis, said: "It is vital that we recruit more foster carers in the Torbay area. A shortage means that children and young people have to leave behind their local area, schools, friends and families so they can be placed with suitable carers. This adds to the challenges and difficulties they're already experiencing. The more carers we have the better the service we can provide to children and young people in the Bay.

 

"When people find out how flexible fostering can be they are often surprised to discover that their own lifestyles are ideally suited to this rewarding vocation. I would urge anyone thinking about fostering to come along to one of the drop-in events or have an informal chat with one of Foster Care team."

 

Anyone interested in fostering is being invited to pop along to one of the following events:

Thursday 1 November   Sainsburys, The Willows, Torquay 10am - 6pm

Friday 2 November Sainsburys, Newton Abbot 10am – 6pm

Tuesday 6 November Tor Hill House, Torquay     4.30pm - 7pm

Wednesday 7 November Barbican Leisure Park, Plymouth   12noon - 5pm

Friday 9 November Totnes Market   10am - 1pm

Saturday 10 November Brixham Town Centre     10am - 1pm

Saturday 10 November Exeter Town Centre   10am - 2pm

Tuesday 13 November  Tor Hill House, Torquay 4.30pm - 7pm

Wednesday 14 November    Parkfield, Paignton   1pm - 7.30pm

Tuesday 20 November  Newton Abbot Library (TBC)    11am - 2pm

Friday 23 November    The Mansion, Fore Street, Totnes    11am - 2pm

Tuesday 27 November  Tor Hill House, Torquay 4.30pm - 7pm

 

On Tuesday 13 November the council is particularly keen to hear from potential carers from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities who have an interest in adoption or fostering. On Tuesday 27 November potential carers from minority ethnic and cultural groups are being encouraged to attend the drop-in event.

 

For further details about these events or for more information about fostering please telephone Torbay Foster Care Team on 01803 207857, email: fostercareservice@torbay.gov.uk or visit www.torbay.gov.uk/fostercare