Cheshire East calls for more people to register as foster carers

Cheshire East Council is looking for people to take on a highly-rewarding career and register their interest in becoming foster carers.

The appeal for more carers comes during ‘foster care fortnight’ – a national campaign  Cheshire East Council is fully supporting.

Fostering is a deeply fulfilling way of life, which anyone who has a passion for giving children the best possible start should consider. The council is very fortunate that it can already call upon many foster carers who have already made this fantastically rewarding life choice, who are out there doing it and making us proud.

Single carer Anne Bentley, from Poynton, said: “I enjoy the fun I get from being a foster carer, the simple pleasure I get from looking after children. The key lesson I have learned is that every child is different. I have learned to adapt and adjust to every child who has been with me. You find you change and grow as a person by being a foster carer.”

Karen and Robert Tulip, from Nantwich, already had children of their own and one of the most powerful emotions for them was the pride they felt when their foster children really connected with their own kids.

Karen said: “I enjoy being a part of a large family. I love the children wanting to spend time with you and the family at mealtimes, where we are all together and can talk about how our days have been. Just sitting and watching everyone trying to get their point across, learning to take turns and the conversation often going off at a tangent. They’re the moments I love.”

The decision to become a foster carer should not, of course, be taken lightly and the council understands that it is not always a smooth journey. To help the process, the council has dedicated support staff, only a phone call away, who are ready to provide help and answer any questions.

Margaret Sanders, a foster carer in Congleton, said: “We struggled with one of our early placements and didn’t ask for help straight away. Looking back on it, I think we were worried that people might think we weren’t any good if we asked for help. But we let it go on too long.

“When we did ask for help, Cheshire East was absolutely brilliant. Now, whenever we feel we are getting anxious about anything, we are not afraid to ask for some advice and support.”

Councillor Jos Saunders, Cheshire East Cabinet member for children and families, said: “Choosing to become a foster carer is a fantastic, rewarding life choice and this council will continue to prioritise our search to recruit more local carers from all backgrounds and experiences across the borough.

“People like Karen, Robert, Ann and Margaret are brilliant ambassadors for a life in foster care and I take my hat off to them for continuing to champion the cause. They are wonderful examples of excellent foster carers but we need many more like them and what better time to do that than during ‘foster care fortnight’.

“There are still more than 450 children and young people in care in Cheshire East and we are in much need of loving families to transform their lives.”

To learn more about becoming a foster carer, please call 0300 123 3223 or visit: www.foster4cheshireeast.co.uk