FtSE Member News: Action For Children - Foster Care Fortnight 2014

9,000 children every year will have three or more moves in care. Can you give them a chance at stability and be one of 134 new foster carers we need?

Imagine what it feels like to move from home to home, not knowing the person you are moving in with and where you are going to be? Many of these young people will have had traumatic childhoods; they will be older and have complex needs - the children that really need help the most.

This year during Foster Care Fortnight, we are asking if you could work with Action for Children and make a real difference to the lives of these children.

Could you foster someone like Tom?

Tom was 16. He smoked drugs and had a significant criminal past. Many felt he was beyond hope. First time foster carers, Catherine and David were unsure if they could take him on.

They gave it a go and took one step at a time. They encouraged him to give up smoking, keep himself busy and eventually attend college. They gave him hope for the future.

Now, Tom lives with his girlfriend, is working in the care sector and taking his NVQ in nursing care. He says "If it wasn't for Catherine and David I really don't know where my life would be right now. The nicest thing is that they tell me is that they are proud of me."

Hear the story in Tom's words and through the eyes of foster carers Catherine and David.

You could be part of a team that helps children and young people achieve amazing results including:

• 80% have seen a reduction in bullying, discriminatory and/or anti-social behaviour
• 78% have seen the child or young person plan or participate in an activity that benefits others
• 75% have seen the use of harmful substances reduced

We need an additional 134 new carers this year to provide secure and loving homes to vulnerable children and young people. If you can develop trusting relationships with a child, be resilient and understanding, then we will provide you with fees and allowances, outstandingsupport and extensive training.

Who can foster with Action for Children?

• It is essential that you have a spare bedroom
• We are looking for people who have had experience of caring for a child or adult - this could be through volunteeering, being a parent, family contact or through work
• Want to foster a young person who has experienced a traumatic childhood

For a free infomation pack or more information on fostering:

• Complete our simple online fostering form
• Call 0845 200 5162
• Read our fostering report

Fostering not for you? You can still helpYou can still help, even if you don't think fostering is right for you. Simply share our links on Facebook and Twitter or download and put up our flyers with the building owners permission.


Source:
http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering-and-short-breaks-service/why-choose-action-for-children/our-latest-recruitment-campaign/foster-care-fortnight-2014?utm_source=TwitterAFC&utm_medium=Tweet&utm_campaign=FCF

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