Blackburn with Darwen marks Foster Care Fortnight

Foster Care Fortnight is running from Monday 15 May – Sunday 28 May 2023 this year.

Like last year, this year’s theme is ‘fostering communities’ and The Fostering Network hope to shine a light on the many ways people across the fostering community support each other.

Foster carers make a real difference to the lives of young people and the fortnight aims to raise awareness and celebrate the strength and resilience of fostering communities.

Blackburn with Darwen are looking to recruit 12 new fostering households this year and there are lots of events taking place across the borough to raise awareness of fostering and also information on how to become a foster carer.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children’s Services, was at the launch event of Fostering Fortnight at Blackburn Town Hall this morning, she said:

We’ve just launched Foster Carer Fortnight with a bang this morning with some fantastic drummers! I am really excited about all the events taking place this fortnight to support and raise awareness about the amazing work of our foster carers. Thank you to everyone who has organised these events and I hope they are a big success.

Some of the support and benefits of a foster carer include:

• A generous financial allowance, which will depend on your skill level and the age of the child, you are fostering.
• Comprehensive training programme including the ‘Journey to Foster’ course and ongoing development opportunities.
• A social worker specifically allocated to you. You can expect to receive regular meetings, which are a chance for you to talk through any problems and share information about children in your care.
• Support groups for you and your family.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Strategic Director of Children’s Services and Education, Joanne Siddle added:

Foster Care Fortnight is an annual and important campaign that seeks to highlight all that foster carers do. It was great to attend this morning and raise awareness of fostering. Our Foster carers accomplish incredible things every day and we value them dearly. Blackburn with Darwen urgently needs more foster carers to make sure fostered children can live with the right foster carer for them. If you’ve ever considered fostering, please contact us on the numbers below.

To find out more details about the events taking place in Blackburn with Darwen visit our website: News & Events – Lets Foster

The website also has more details to start your fostering journey, go to letsfoster.co.uk or speak to one of the team on 0800 328 6919.