Eighteen people from the local area started the first of The Acorns Fostering training courses this week leading to becoming approved carers for local children and young people who cannot live with their own families.  The new starters include single people, couples, retired people, some in work and some planning to make fostering their full time career.  Some of the applicants have children still at home whilst others have grown up children or none of their own.  All the applicants feel they have the energy to give more children and young people the time and attention they need to thrive.  Fostering service manager Sarah Whittington said ‘we are really pleased by how many people have come forward who want to work with us to give children the best chance.  Children of all ages – from babies to older teenagers need foster placements for anything from a few days to a few months or even  years and we are looking for a wide range of people who can meet different kinds of needs’
Foster carers receive full training and continuing support from The Acorns specialist fostering team and are paid realistic fees and allowances from £340 to over £500 per week per child to enable them to provide the levels of support and care that children need.  There is a particular need for carers who could offer a home to an older child or teenager or to family groups of younger children who need to stay together.  Applicants with previous experience of looking after children in a work setting are especially welcome but there are no strict entrance requirements.  So long as you have a spare room, a positive attitude to working with children and their families and are willing to be part of a team, the Acorns Fostering would love to hear from you.  As you would expect, there are a lot of checks to be made alongside the training and assessment but  all kinds of people can foster and there are all kinds of children waiting to be given that chance.  Find out more by calling 01325 485143, emailing fostering@acorncare.org.uk or checking the Facebook page: TheAcornsFostering.