Celebrating our children, carers, and community this Foster Care Fortnight
Buckinghamshire Council has over 500 children in care who need love, support and guidance to build their future. The council is taking the opportunity, during national Foster Care Fortnight (15-28 May), to celebrate all that its fostering community does to ensure children are cared for and supported to thrive and is encouraging others to consider whether fostering is for them.
Throughout Foster Care Fortnight, Foster with Bucks will be sharing stories, videos and testimony about their children, their carers and their community on Facebook (@FosterBucks) and Twitter (@FosterWithBucks).
A highlight for Buckinghamshire’s fostering community during the fortnight will be the annual Foster Walk. Children, carers and members of the Children's Services team will gather to spend some quality time together. Plus, a Diversity Day lunch is being held for foster carers which will focus on hidden disabilities.
Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services explained more about the importance of the fostering community. She said:
“We understand a support network is key to success, which is why we ensure community is at the heart when you Foster with Bucks. We've started supporting our foster carers in a new way, using The Fostering Network’s innovative Mockingbird family model. This evidence-based model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families, supporting them to build a resilient and caring community.
“Since October, we have been operating this model in North Buckinghamshire. We have brought together a community of seven foster families with Debbie, a hub home carer at the centre. She is a specially trained, experienced foster carer, and provides support, understanding and friendship to all the carers and young people within the group, replicating the support and relationships of an extended family. It has been such a success that our second, in the south of the county is launching this month.”
For anyone interested in finding out more, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time get started. There are many ways you can do this. Book onto the next Fostering Information Session where you can talk to the fostering team and foster carers or use the interactive FosteringReady tool to quickly learn more and to create a personalised plan of things you can do to get ready for fostering.
You can also visit the Foster with Bucks stand by the entrance to John Lewis in High Wycombe and talk face to face with the council's fostering team. The stand will be staffed between 11am and 2pm from Monday 15 to Thursday 19 May.
Debbie, Hub Home Carer said:
“Fostering children through Buckinghamshire Council is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and worthwhile experiences you can have. You become part of a friendly, passionate, and hugely supportive community that works together to build a bright future for children in care. We are also part of The Fostering Network’s Mockingbird programme. It’s been such a pleasure to be there for the children and adults in our group, it really does feel like one big family.
“You might feel worried or daunted about the process of becoming a foster carer – but please don’t worry – get in touch with Buckinghamshire Council, they’ll answer any questions you have and put you in touch with foster carers like me who can share their experiences with you.”
“If you are thinking about fostering, or know someone who is, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time to find out more. Visit buckinghamshire.gov.uk/foster-care-fortnight for more information about fostering with Buckinghamshire Council.”
