Foster4 launch sector-leading support packages

To mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight 2022, Foster4, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington Councils’ foster carer recruitment service, has launched three sector-leading Support Packages for families who foster with their local authority.

The package documents will not only act as invaluable reference guides for existing carers, but as information and inspiration for those thinking about fostering too.

They were formally launched yesterday, Monday, 9 May, at an Afternoon Tea event for carers, which took place at The Hayloft in Widnes.

Councillor Robert Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “The afternoon tea event for foster carers was hosted as a huge ‘thank you’ to our foster carers for their dedication over the course of the pandemic. So, it was the perfect opportunity to present the new Foster4 enhanced support offer to them.

“Setting out support in this way also reinforces this year’s campaign theme of Fostering Communities. Support provided is hyper-local, easily accessible and person-centred.

“The packages set out the 360-degree support we offer to our families who foster- bringing all the services we provide into one place.

“They detail everything from a seven-seater pool car free for our foster carers to use at any time, to swimming passes for fostering families, to all the equipment you will need, to 24/7 local out of hours support. The Council’s partnership model, ‘Our Way of Working’ which is a trauma informed approach to working with children and families, is also showcased along with the support offered by our partner services including Caring to Care and The Intervention Hub.

“Each element of this package is another ‘tool’ in our carer’s ‘kit’. Together, they enable them to provide exceptional care to children and young people.”

Councillor Margaret Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s member of Foster4, added: “Our foster carers have played such an important role supporting our children in care throughout the pandemic and we were delighted to be able to hold an event to say thank you to them for that vital support. The new package documents aim to ensure that all the information that foster carers and prospective foster carers may need is in one place, in order to support them on their journey. If you are interested in fostering, please get in touch with the team at Foster4 and join our fantastic community of foster carers.”

Foster Carer Ros, who together with husband Warren, celebrated entering her 50th year of fostering at the event, said: “We’ve seen the support offer evolve so much over our fostering career. 50 years ago, we were given 50p and a carrier bag of nappies, and not much more! Since Foster4 launched, the development of the support on offer has accelerated significantly. They really do strive to be the best in the sector. We’re extremely proud to foster for our Local Authority with them.”

Thinking about fostering? We’d love to hear from you! Become part of our community of over 450 households who foster with us across Cheshire and change a young life today.

Find out more about the Support Packages and enquire about becoming a foster carer at:

www.foster4.co.uk 

...or call us on 01925 444100.

You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:

@foster4cheshire

Pictured - Foster carers, Ros and Warren.