A NEW campaign has been launched to find Warrington people to care for new parents and their children together.
Foster4 – the fostering recruitment service for Warrington, Halton and Cheshire West and Chester councils has launched the campaign in the run-up to Mother’s Day
Volunteers –who will be paid a weekly allowance of around £500- will have to open up their home – usually to a young mum and her new baby – for about six months.
Cllr Matt Smith (pictured), Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “By providing parent and child foster care, our goal is to support more local families to stay together. Becoming a parent is one of the biggest challenges of our lives, and it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re young and don’t have much support.
“By modelling parenting skills, helping parents to establish routines such as safe sleeping and feeding, supporting them with coping strategies and making positive choices, you’ll be playing a huge part in setting up a young family for a successful independent life.”
Therese, who has been a parent and child foster carer for seven years said: “The emotional reward is enormous. There’s nothing like seeing a young family thrive and eventually set up on their own after leaving our care. Even when it doesn’t end as hoped, you know you’ve given them the best chances of staying together, and the baby a safe, positive start in life.
“Some of the parents we’ve cared for have been teenage mums, and sometimes dads, who have been or are still in care themselves, and so maybe haven’t had positive parenting to learn from. Others have been parents with learning difficulties, who needed a lot of extra support in establishing routines and budgeting for example.
“Every situation is different, but equally rewarding. It’s just amazing getting texts from the families, updating me about how they’re getting on, even years down the line. I’m still my first girl’s go-to person!”
Parent and child foster carers work closely alongside social workers, health professionals and other agencies, to give the parent and child the best possible chances of staying together long-term and having successful independent lives.
They will need to have positive parenting/caring experience, a spare bedroom and to be at home full-time. Foster4 provide all the equipment needed, including cots, bedroom furniture and car seats, as well as exceptional training and support and a weekly allowance. Allowances vary, but are about £500 per week.
Anyone interested should enquire atfoster4.co.uk.
