Foster Care Fortnight, an annual recruitment campaign to encourage people to consider a career in fostering, begins on Monday 17 May.
With two local children coming into Flintshire foster care almost every week, more full time and respite foster carers are desperately needed for all ages.
The work of a support group for foster carers’ own children in Flintshire has been highlighted by the County Council during Foster Care Fortnight.
The Stepping Stones support group for the sons and daughters of Flintshire’s foster carers helps children who share their homes, parents, toys and time with children in foster care.
Foster carer Sue Shaw talks about her own children Sophie (10) and Brandon (6):
“When I first started thinking about fostering I wanted to make sure my own children were happy with the idea. We’ve been fostering for over a year now.
“The Stepping Stones Group is great; they really enjoy it. Our children have been included in the fostering process from the beginning. The fostering team talked to them during the assessment, they attended their own training and were invited on trips to meet other children who foster. The team look after them.
“They enjoy fostering, especially looking after little ones. It’s not always easy keeping everyone happy all the time but the Stepping Stones Group gives the children a fun trip as a treat every school holiday to say thank you.”
Sue’s daughter Sophie age 10 said “I like looking after children, teaching them new things and new words. I like to see them happy and smiling. Stepping Stones is a nice opportunity to meet other people in the same situation and have a lot of fun together.”
For more information on fostering call 01352 701000 or visit www.flintshire.gov.uk/foster
