National Fostering Fortnight: Make a Difference with Rutland Foster Care
National Fostering Fortnight is a time to celebrate the amazing work foster carers do. Rutland County Council's Fostering Service, Families Supporting Families, is looking for people like you to become a foster carer and make a real difference in a child's life.
What is foster care?
Foster care provides a safe and loving home for children who can't live with their birth parents. The council needs foster carers for children of all ages (0-18) who may need care for a short time, a few months, or even longer. There are many different types of foster care, including:
- Short-term and long-term care
- Emergency care
- Special care for children with disabilities
- Respite care to give parents a break
- Remand care for young offenders
- Temporary accommodation for young people preparing for independence
- Staying put options to help young people stay with their current carers
Who can be a foster carer?
Rutland County Council welcomes foster carers from all walks of life. They don't look for a specific income, marital status, religion, ethnicity, housing situation, or employment status. You can be single, married, part of a same-sex couple, with or without children, a homeowner or renter, employed or on benefits, and even living with a disability.
What qualities are they looking for?
- Patience, understanding, and a good sense of humor
- Enjoy spending time with children and young people
- Open to guidance and support
- Flexible but able to set boundaries
- Time to commit to a child
- Ability to handle challenging situations
Becoming a foster carer:
The approval process typically takes 6-9 months and involves:
- Initial enquiry
- Home visit
- Preparation training
- Application and background checks, including references and a criminal record check
- Fostering assessment
- Approval panel
What the council provides:
Rutland County Council offers extensive support to its foster carers, including:
- Professional training
- Funding to cover expenses and activities
- Regular support from a social worker
- Opportunities to develop new skills
- Support groups and networking with other carers
- Free access to The Fostering Network
Could you be a foster carer?
If you have the following qualities, Rutland County Council would love to hear from you:
- Good communication and listening skills
- Ability to promote a healthy, fun, and educational environment
- Energy and commitment to children
- Willingness to learn new skills
- Ability to work with other professionals
Take the next step:
- Call for an informal chat: 01572 720 942
- Email: fostering@rutland.gov.uk
- Visit the website: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/fostering
- Meet the team at the Rutland County Show on Sunday, June 2nd
National Fostering Fortnight is a chance to be a hero. Become a Rutland foster carer and make a lasting impact on a child's life.
