Enquiries into becoming a foster carer for the Local Authority have increased by a third in one year.

In April 2018, Halton Borough Council, together with Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council, formed Foster4, Cheshire’s regional foster carer recruitment service – one of the first in the country. In the first year of operation, the service has seen a significant increase in enquiries from residents interested in becoming a Local Authority foster carer. A total of 47 new households were approved as foster carers in 2018-19.

Liz Davenport, Divisional Manager of Children in Care, Children and Families Services said

“Foster4 brings together strengths of our existing teams and resources, with the shared aim of recruiting more foster carers. We’ve welcomed the increased interest from the public. It means that we can keep more local children close to their schools, friends and family, with carers we know well, giving them the best possible opportunities and outcomes.

“Becoming a foster carer for your Local Authority is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It can be a fulfilling, home-based and flexible career. Our carers come in all shapes and sizes, each and every one of them make up a community, dedicated to looking after our children and young people”.

“We offer a huge range of benefits, in addition to our already exceptional support, training and allowance packages. Our average allowances are around £300 per week, per child, to ensure you can provide our most vulnerable children with a high quality of life, helping to transform their experiences of childhood.

“I’d urge people to come forward and make an enquiry into becoming a foster carer. We’re keen to hear from those who could care for older children and teenagers and children with more complex needs.”

Foster4 is looking for people who are great with children and young people, have a spare bedroom, and can welcome a local child or young person to be part of their family on either a short or long term basis. You could foster around your existing job, if you have one, as long as you can be flexible, or you can make fostering your primary role.

Foster4 run six ‘Become a Foster Carer’ information sessions each month, across the four Local Authority areas. The next Halton sessions are being held on:

  • Tuesday 21st May, 10am, Halton Stadium, Lower House Lane, Widnes. WA8 7DZ
  • Thursday 27th June, 10am, Castlefields Community Centre, Runcorn. WA7 2ST

Request an information pack from Foster4 at www.foster4.co.uk or call 0800 195 3175 to find out more. Find Foster4 on Facebook @foster4cheshire.