Foster Care Fortnight: County in need of more carers

It is looking for people who can provide short-term respite and longer term placements for children with additional needs such as autism, learning difficulties, physical disability or medical conditions.

The county council is responsible for placing every child in the county who needs care from newborns to teenagers.

Karen Jordan, from Eastbourne, became interested in fostering after working with children with special educational needs and currently provides foster care for eight-year-old Lily.

She said: “The best bit about having a child with special needs is the pure joy and love that they give you and the big hugs that we get every day.

“Lily has multiple complex needs but she doesn’t let any of it stop her – she still loves life, is very vibrant and is the life and soul of the party

“My social workers support me with any extra training that I need and we have a good network of foster carers around us – I have quite a core group of friends, some of whom have children with special needs as well, and we can go on days out, meet up at weekends and go on holidays together with all the children.

“If you’re thinking of taking on children with special needs you don’t need to think of them as having a special need – at the end of the day they’re still children and we just love them for who they are.”

While previous experience of caring or working for children with additional needs is useful, it is not essential as training is always available, while adaptations to make carers’ homes more accessible or special equipment is on offer where appropriate.

During Foster Care Fortnight, the council is supporting The Fostering Network’s #ThisIsFostering campaign online, sharing clips on social media of carers explaining what fostering means to them.

Adrian Sewell, who manages the council’s fostering team, said: “When you foster with us you’re never alone – every foster carer receives training, a dedicated social worker and extensive advice, support and assistance, including 24-hour telephone support.

“There is no such thing as a typical foster carer – they come from all different backgrounds, cultures and sexualities and include single people and those in relationships.

“If you’re over 21, have a warm and welcoming home including a spare bedroom, some experience of caring for children and a desire to make a real difference to a young person’s life, we’d like to hear from you.”

UK charity The Fostering Network’s annual campaign is to raise awareness of the extraordinary dedication and work of foster carers at this time, while calling for more people to come forward to foster.

Every year thousands more foster families are needed across the UK to make sure fostered children can live with the right carer for them.

So, anyone who thinks they might have the skills and experience to become a foster carer is urged to contact their local fostering services.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Foster care transforms the lives of children and young people as well as those of foster carers and their families. This has never been more important.

“Foster carers help children and young people flourish and fulfil their potential, as well as provide a vital service to our society. Because this happens mainly in the privacy of their own homes – especially at the moment – their contributions too often go unnoticed.

“Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of foster families as well as recognising how transformational foster care can be for the children and young people who need it.”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer in East Sussex is asked to call 01323 464129 for an informal chat, or get in touch via the website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/fostering

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