It’s Foster Care Fortnight (13-26 May 2024) and to make this Torbay’s biggest and best ever, the local Fostering team will be out and about nearly every day throughout the fortnight.
From Devon County Show at Westpoint, to town centres and libraries in Brixham, Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot, you can meet the team and ask them any questions you might have about Fostering and if you are thinking of becoming a Foster Carer now’s the time.
The theme of Foster Care Fortnight this year is #FosteringMoments – celebrating the moments that define fostering journeys, big and small. The moments that build confidence, make young people feel safe and create memories.
Torbay Council are also working with their local Foster Carers on a brand new Fostering recruitment campaign in Torbay to ask them to share their own personal Fostering moments and memories with you and will be launching this very soon. Torbay Council conducted a survey for Foster Carers towards the end of 2023 about what they would like to see in a new Fostering campaign and are now working with Foster Carers based on their feedback. In line with Foster Care Fortnight the council have been asking the Foster Carers what their favourite Fostering moments are – here’s what they’ve been told:
David – “Seeing the children you fostered moving on and being happy and having a real shot at life. That’s the real reward.”
Dawn and Rachel – “The best thing about Fostering is seeing them become more confident and creative. Our best fostering moments are days out, they’re always fun.”
Councillor Nick Bye said: “We are so grateful to all our fantastic local Foster Carers for all they do to support children and young people in Torbay, and Foster Care Fortnight is a great opportunity to both celebrate our existing Foster Carers and to encourage more local people to think about Fostering.
“Foster Carers and those they care for will all have moments and memories and we know from our local Foster Carers that they find it so rewarding to see the real difference they are making to children’s lives.
“If you want to become a Foster Carer or just want to find out more, why not come along to one of our events during Foster Care Fortnight, or you can also contact our Fostering team on 01803 207845 or visit www.torbay.gov.uk/fostering “
Last year Torbay Council was accredited as a Fostering Friendly Employer for the first time by national charity The Fostering Network, and now wants to work with other local organisations to help them to become Fostering Friendly. This means we can not only support those staff who are already foster carers but also encourage others who may be thinking about fostering but haven’t yet taken the step, or who are looking for an employer with a Fostering Friendly approach.
Other local businesses that are interested in becoming Fostering Friendly can also contact the Fostering service on 01803 207845.
Pop along to one of the council’s Fostering events during Foster Care Fortnight-
If you can’t make one of the events you can get in touch with our Fostering team by calling 01803 207845 or visiting the website www.torbay.gov.uk/fostering
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