London,
20
May
2010
|
23:00
Europe/London

Think about fostering in Hackney

Do you have the skills to foster?

To mark national Foster Care Fortnight (17- 30 May), Hackney Council’s Adoption and Fostering Unit will be hosting a special ‘think about fostering’ event on Thursday 27 May, 4-8pm, in Stoke Newington.

The event will be a fun, informal evening where people who have been thinking about fostering and want to take the next step can come along and talk to the Council’s fostering team and foster carers to find out more about fostering, what it entails and why we need foster carers.

New foster carers are always needed and Hackney particularly wants to attract people who can offer a loving home to teenagers, young mothers and babies, siblings and children with disabilities.

By becoming a Hackney foster carer you could help make a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the community.

Councillor Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Foster carers play a vital part in the lives of children who come into local authority care, and the Council needs a whole range of new foster carers to take up this challenging and rewarding role. If people feel they have the skills, qualities and space to care for a child I urge them come forward and find out more.”

Mother of four Debra Douglas, 47, is one of more than 140 carers currently registered with Hackney’s Fostering service. She became a foster carer in 1993 shortly after the birth of her second child, and has cared for over 200 children since then.

“Being a foster carer is like being part of one big extended family”, Debra says. “Anyone thinking of becoming a foster carer should research every aspect of the role and speak to other carers and use them as mentors, as there is no substitution than to listen to someone who’s had years of experience.”

Hackney asks people from all backgrounds to think about fostering, although right now, we would like more carers from the White community and to care for teenagers.

Those wishing to find out more about fostering in Hackney are invited to attend the ‘think about fostering’ information event on Thursday 27 May, 4-8pm, at YumYum Thai Restaurant, 187 Stoke Newington High St N16.

To book a place call: 08000 730 418 or visit: www.hackneykids.org.uk. Walk-ins are also welcome.