London,
07
May
2008
|
23:00
Europe/London
Foster Care fun and information in Hackney
Hackney Council’s Adoption and Fostering Unit will be hosting a Fostering Fun Day at the Town Hall Square, 28 May, 11am-3pm, to mark national Foster Care Fortnight (12 - 25 May).
There is an urgent need to find new foster carers for children and young people in Hackney. Hackney particularly wants to attract people that have space in their home, and their heart, to care for teenagers, young mothers and babies, siblings and children with disabilities.
Diana Corlis decided to become a foster carer to share her warmth and experiences gained by working with young people on a voluntary basis, after her own child left home. Keith and Jacqui Keys wanted to help vulnerable children when they became foster carers 20 years ago.
These are just three of the 152 carers currently registered with Hackney’s Fostering service. There are many ‘looked after children’ in the borough and more foster carers are required.
During the next two weeks, the Hackney fostering team, together with fostering services all over the UK, will be raising the profile of fostering and highlighting the need for more foster carers to come forward.
Councillor Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children s Services said: “Foster carers play a vital role in the lives of children who come into local authority care. Hackney Council needs a whole range of foster carers, who reflect the diversity of the children.
“Being a foster carer is challenging and rewarding. If people feel they have the skills, qualities and space to care for a child, I urge them to get in touch and find out more.”
Hackney asks people from all backgrounds to think about fostering, although right now, we would like more carers from the White, African, Caribbean and mixed-racial communities, in order to reflect the diversity of children in care.
There are different types of fostering in Hackney: short-term; long-term; caring for disabled children; mother and baby fostering; family and friends or kinship fostering and private fostering.
There are also specialist schemes such as Hackney LIFe – Local Intensive Foster Care Programme. Hackney LIFe seeks foster carers for 10-16 year olds who have shown complex and challenging behaviours. It is a six-month programme based on social learning theory.
Diana Corlis said: I’d encourage anyone who wants to be a foster carer to get all the information they can by attending the many open evenings that are available. When you see the positive results it’s moving”
Hackney’s Fostering Fun Day will include information stalls, where you can learn more about Fostering and Adoption in Hackney and how you could make a difference to a child or young person s life. There will also be face-painting for the children and music from Choice FM radio.
Those wishing to enquire about fostering can also attend the next Information Evening, Thursday 22 May, 4-8pm, at the Adoption and Fostering Resource Centre, 186 Homerton High Street E9. Or, you can download an application form from the Council’s website: www.hackney.gov.uk
There is an urgent need to find new foster carers for children and young people in Hackney. Hackney particularly wants to attract people that have space in their home, and their heart, to care for teenagers, young mothers and babies, siblings and children with disabilities.
Diana Corlis decided to become a foster carer to share her warmth and experiences gained by working with young people on a voluntary basis, after her own child left home. Keith and Jacqui Keys wanted to help vulnerable children when they became foster carers 20 years ago.
These are just three of the 152 carers currently registered with Hackney’s Fostering service. There are many ‘looked after children’ in the borough and more foster carers are required.
During the next two weeks, the Hackney fostering team, together with fostering services all over the UK, will be raising the profile of fostering and highlighting the need for more foster carers to come forward.
Councillor Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children s Services said: “Foster carers play a vital role in the lives of children who come into local authority care. Hackney Council needs a whole range of foster carers, who reflect the diversity of the children.
“Being a foster carer is challenging and rewarding. If people feel they have the skills, qualities and space to care for a child, I urge them to get in touch and find out more.”
Hackney asks people from all backgrounds to think about fostering, although right now, we would like more carers from the White, African, Caribbean and mixed-racial communities, in order to reflect the diversity of children in care.
There are different types of fostering in Hackney: short-term; long-term; caring for disabled children; mother and baby fostering; family and friends or kinship fostering and private fostering.
There are also specialist schemes such as Hackney LIFe – Local Intensive Foster Care Programme. Hackney LIFe seeks foster carers for 10-16 year olds who have shown complex and challenging behaviours. It is a six-month programme based on social learning theory.
Diana Corlis said: I’d encourage anyone who wants to be a foster carer to get all the information they can by attending the many open evenings that are available. When you see the positive results it’s moving”
Hackney’s Fostering Fun Day will include information stalls, where you can learn more about Fostering and Adoption in Hackney and how you could make a difference to a child or young person s life. There will also be face-painting for the children and music from Choice FM radio.
Those wishing to enquire about fostering can also attend the next Information Evening, Thursday 22 May, 4-8pm, at the Adoption and Fostering Resource Centre, 186 Homerton High Street E9. Or, you can download an application form from the Council’s website: www.hackney.gov.uk