Why not make fostering your new year's resolution?

Plymouth City Council’s fostering service is asking people to make a new year’s resolution to do something extraordinary and make a difference in a child’s life by fostering.

There are currently more than 400 children and young people in care and there is an on-going campaign to recruit more foster carers.

When a child cannot be cared for within their family, the Council’s first priority is for them to be looked after by a local authority foster carer, as they live in the area near to a child’s family and friends so it is less disruptive for a child.

Fostering is a way to make a real positive difference to a child's life, providing children and young people with a stable and loving home and the support and encouragement they need to flourish and do well. Fostering for Plymouth City Council also offers full training, support and the opportunity to learn new skills.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: "Our foster carers are ordinary people who have chosen to something extraordinary and make a difference in a vulnerable child’s life.

"All the children in our care are different, and to meet their needs, we are looking for a wide variety of people. Fostering is a challenging role to take on but it can make a real difference. If you feel that you are looking for a challenge then why not make a new year's resolution that will change a child's life?"

Foster carers with Plymouth City Council are paid a weekly maintenance allowance and a skills allowance for each child. The allowance is designed to cover the daily costs of looking after the child and varies according to the age of the child.

Fostering service manager Alison Barker said: “We accept applications to foster from all sectors of society and people can be married, single, unmarried couples, gay and lesbian, have their own children, retired, a homeowner, in rented accommodation or unemployed.

“All that we ask is that you are over the age of 21 and have a spare room in your home. We also need people who have more than one spare room who can foster brothers and sisters to keep them to together.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a foster carer can contact the county council's fostering team on 01752 308762 or go to www.fosterforplymouth.co.uk