Durham County Council is making a heartfelt plea for more foster carers to come forward to give a child a long term family.
Being a long term foster carer means providing a safe and secure family home for the same child during their childhood years and sharing their ups and downs. Foster carers say it’s very rewarding to see a child develop and succeed.
There are many children waiting for a family, one of those is five year old Faye.
Faye says: “I am a bit of a chatter box and I love talking to people. I love teddy bears and my favourite one is George. I love reading him stories. I like it best when people read to me.
“I like playing dominoes, doing jigsaws and making things but my favourite thing is to paint and draw.
“I love helping in the garden and have my own little plot where I grow plants and flowers from seeds I am having swimming lessons and I can put my face under the water now.
“I have started school and am learning to read. I have made lots of friends and get invited to lots of parties.
“I have a little brother who has just been adopted by a new family and an older sister who lives with foster carers just like me. We see each other every month and this time is special to us.”
Due to experiences at a young age Faye requires a lot of support and attention and needs help to understand how she should behave. She has been receiving specialist support which will continue in her new family. Foster carers will be part of a team and offered support and training from a range of professionals who will be on hand every step of the way.
Florence Coulter, fostering team manager with Durham County Council, said “The Service is hoping to find over 30 long term foster carers who have the time and space in their home and their heart to care for a child throughout their childhood and beyond. If you have ever thought about fostering now is the time to find out more.”
The Fostering Service would like to invite anyone thinking about fostering to come along to an Information drop-in session:
Wednesday 30 January, Spennymoor Town Hall, 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Tuesday 5 February, The Glebe Centre, Murton, Seaham, 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Prospective fosterers will have the chance to chat individually with fostering social workers and foster carers, who will be there to answer any questions.
Anyone wishing to consider fostering can also contact the service on 03000 269 400 or visit www.durham.gov.uk/fostering
Durham County Council Fostering Service is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
