Cllr Jean Carter
A WARRINGTON Borough Council recruitment drive has resulted in a huge increase in applications from people committed to becoming foster carers.
The service has seen a 155 per cent increase in applications in two years, and a 53 per cent increase in the past year.
In 2016-17, 23 applications were received compared to 15 in 2015-16 and nine in 2014-15.
The applications are from people who have made an initial enquiry, attended the three-day pre-approval training course and have subsequently submitted a formal application.
You Can Foster, the regional campaign to recruit more foster carers across the North West, has been a key driver in generating awareness.
Cllr Jean Carter, the council’s lead member for children services, said: “We’re delighted that the number of applications has risen so significantly over the past two years. It shows that the people of Warrington have a real dedication to supporting the most vulnerable children in their communities.
“We’ve always generated a good level of initial interest, but the big changes have been in people’s commitment to progressing their enquiry and the quality of the applications we’re receiving.
“The word about how rewarding a role fostering can be is really getting out there, and our current carers are some of our biggest advocates. We’re continuously looking for people from all walks of life to care for children of all ages.”
Foster carer Jenny Stafford said: “We first fostered with an agency and we transferred to Warrington Borough Council a few years later as we became disheartened with the lack of placements and level of support we were receiving. The support we get now is second to none, and we’re never without a placement unless we want to be.
“We currently foster five children, one teenager long-term and four younger ones, so it’s a very busy household at the moment, however, you do only need one spare bedroom to foster!”
