North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership is hosting an information event for potential foster carers.
This is being hosted by the Families for Children Team in Ardeer Community Centre on Saturday, October 19 and is an informal drop-in session, meaning you can simply pop along and speak to the team any time between 10am and noon.
Children across North Ayrshire are desperately in need of care and the Council’s expert staff can offer local carers for local families. There is a lot of support available for anyone who decides to foster or adopt a child.
Each approved foster carer has their own supervising worker who visits regularly and maintains close telephone contact. Visits will be at least monthly, but are more frequent when you are newly approved or when support is required.
The supervising worker’s role is to support the carer – and their family – while they are fostering and to offer advice about any concerns raised. Carers receive generous allowances and additional financial support to cover the cost of caring for a child – for example, the expense of school uniforms. There is support through the bi-monthly local Foster Carers' Support Group, which offers an opportunity to chat to other carers and workers over a cuppa and also hear from guest speakers.
A monthly email offers updates on developments in foster care, training opportunities and activities happening locally.
There are flexible options to foster a child – with different arrangements possible. These include the opportunity to provide children and young people with short breaks, interim fostering and/or longer-term support for young people.
The team is also keen to hear from those who feel they could offer a home to children who have disabilities and those who could take a small family group, so that brothers and sisters can remain together.
Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Said:
"There are many benefits to fostering and adoption, for both the children involved and the people who welcome them into their home as a new member of the family. People across North Ayrshire who offer care and support to some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities genuinely are changing their lives and giving them the opportunities they deserve to thrive. We are especially keen to hear from anyone who is willing to consider offering short break care to children either mid-week or at weekends. This type of care involves carers helping families who are going through a difficult time by having them stay in their home. We need people from different walks of life to adopt or foster a child or sibling group – bringing compassion and kindness into their lives."
The team will be pleased to sit down and have a chat about the various options and opportunities with anyone who would like to find out more.
If you attend the drop-in session in the Community Centre, 23 Shore Road, Stevenston, on Saturday, 19 October you can expect a relaxed atmosphere, and the opportunity to have an informal chat with the team to get information on fostering and adopting. Tea and coffee will be available.
Alternatively, fill in a fostering enquiry form.
The Health and Social Care Partnership is also looking for people who can offer supported care.
This sees people offering a spare room, temporarily, to someone aged between 16 and 21 to help them move on – independently - to the next stage of their life.
You could, for example, be helping bring positive change to a young person who has been living in residential care. An allowance is paid for each young person in your care and there is a start-up grant to help prepare the bedroom.
You can help to make a difference through all types of caring.
To be eligible you must be aged over 25, you can be single or in a relationship (for more than two years with experience of caring for children).
Please note: For more information email the Adoption and fostering team or call 01294 310300 (option 4 then option 1). Read more about Adoption, fostering, short break and kinship care in North Ayrshire.