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Wiltshire Council aims to recruit 20 to 30 new households a year.
People considering fostering a child are being encouraged to take the first step and find out how they can help the hundreds of Wiltshire children needing a loving home.
Wiltshire Council aims to recruit 20 to 30 new households a year so more children needing foster care can be looked after locally.
There are about 170-180 children placed with Wiltshire approved foster carers at any time.
Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services said: “In Wiltshire there are around 400 children in care, but we need more foster carers so that local children in need of a foster family can be cared for locally. These children range from new-born babies to older teenagers and groups of siblings – both of which we particularly need people to foster.
“I understand it may be difficult for some people to take that next step, but the support and help is available for those who take on this important and rewarding role.”
A new simpler payment system has also been introduced to make it easier for prospective foster carers to see how much they are entitled to per week based on the types of fostering. It allows foster carers to progress and receive increased payments as their skills and experience develop.
The types of foster placements can vary from short term, perhaps due to a family crisis or serious illness of a parent, or longer term placements for children who are not able to return to live with their parents or families for a range of reasons. Some children need to be matched permanently with carers so they can grow up in a safe and secure family environment. In addition some foster carers provide care in an emergency situation for a short period until appropriate accommodation can be found, or the child can return to their family. This is often during the evening or at weekends.
These carers are paid a retainer for holding an emergency bed and an allowance for looking after a child. Other carers provide support and accommodation for a young parent and their child and help to assess them. They help to assess the young parent and give them practical and emotional support, while they develop the skills to help them take care of their child and stay together as a family where possible.
The fostering team hold regular drop in information sessions where you can find out more about becoming a foster carer and there is no need to book. The next information session is on 29 November at County Hall in Trowbridge, from 7pm.
All carers are paid a weekly allowance based on the age of the child which currently ranges from approximately £144 per week for a child under 4, to about £262 per week for a 17 year old. The scheme sets out a series of “levels” that carers can be paid at, reflecting the challenge and complexity of what they will be asked to do.
Most carers, without any previous fostering experience, will begin at level 1 and in addition to the age related allowance they will receive a level 1 fee of £70 per child per week. As they become more skilled and experienced, the fee rises to a maximum of between £196 and £301 for looking after the most complex and challenging children.
There are currently about 170 mainstream fostering households. In addition, there are a number of foster carers who are approved to look after children that they know, for example family members. There are also carers who are approved to provide short breaks for children with additional needs and disabilities (Family Link and SEND Specialist carers) If you are interested in fostering for Wiltshire, please visit the WC website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk or phone 0800 169 6321