OVER the next two weeks, Surrey County Council's adoption and fostering service will be appealing to residents to look beyond the affluent image of Surrey and think about the 50 teenagers a year who need a foster home in the county. The council's adoption and fostering service is raising awareness of this issue during Foster Care Fortnight, in a bid to recruit more foster carers. More foster carers are needed to provide children and teenagers with safe and caring homes whilst they are unable to live with their own families. Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign which raises the profile of fostering and highlights the need for more foster carers. It is co-ordinated by the Fostering Network and this year it runs between May 14 -27. It is the ideal time for anyone considering fostering to get in touch with the council's fostering and adoption service to find out more information. Interested residents who think they could help should call 08000 96 96 26 or visit: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/fostering">www.surreycc.gov.uk/fostering to find out more about what is involved. There are also regular open evenings, which potential carers can attend where they have the opportunity to talk to people from the fostering and adoption service as well as current foster carers who are willing to share their experiences. The next sessions are at Reigate Hill Golf Club (Gatton Bottom), on May 14, and Hoebridge Golf Club (Old Woking), on June 7. They start at 7pm. Please call 08000 96 96 26 if you would like to attend.
Key facts: l Nationally there are 50,000 children in foster care on any given day in the UK and currently there is a shortage of over 10,000 foster carers. l Surrey County Council has an on ongoing campaign to recruit more foster carers, especially for teenagers and children with disabilities, who tend to be hard to place. l There are about 400 children currently in foster care in Surrey and there is a need for more foster carers so we can better match children and carers. l In Surrey 50 teenagers a year need foster care. l To be a foster carer you need to enjoy the company of young people, be flexible, resilient and have a sense of humour. l To recognise the extra responsibilities and costs that come with fostering a child, we pay foster carers between £247 and £326 a week per child. l This will need to undergo some training that we will provide free. l The need to be willing to learn about the causes of children's behaviour and how to help them make positive changes in their lives. l The need to work with the adoption and fostering service who will guide, supervise and support you in the role of foster carer. l Age is not a barrier, but you need to have a reasonable level of fitness. l People with disabilities are encouraged to apply to become foster carers. l We welcome foster carers from all ethnic and religious backgrounds, whether in relationships or single, with or without children. l If you have a medical condition, provided it isn't life-threatening, you may also become a foster carer. l Carers must have a home with a spare room so that the child being fostered has his or her own space. l Applicants cannot foster if they have a police record for violence or other offences against children. l A police record for offences that are not against children would not necessarily rule someone out, but we would need to discuss the issue.