Appeal for more foster carers in Nottinghamshire

People across Nottinghamshire are being urged to join a virtual event to find out more about being a foster carer.
School pupils planted 200 trees in Sherwood Forest to represent the number of fostering households currently needed in NottinghamshireSchool pupils planted 200 trees in Sherwood Forest to represent the number of fostering households currently needed in Nottinghamshire
School pupils planted 200 trees in Sherwood Forest to represent the number of fostering households currently needed in Nottinghamshire

One year on since the council launched its campaign for 200 foster carers, 44 have now signed up to provide care to children and young people across the county.

Nottinghamshire County Council is now urging anyone who can provide safe and loving home for children to sign up to one of its virtual information events to find out more.

The council launched its Giving Children Roots campaign at Sherwood Forest in 2020 with an aim to recruit more than 200 carers.

That appeal continues with 44 successfully signed up but with more still on their way to becoming new foster carers.

Foster carers receive weekly payments as well as other benefits, support and training to make sure they have the skills and techniques they need to foster.

Kelly Hopley, from Mansfield, had her first placements just before the first national lockdown last year.

She said: “Fostering has changed the lives of our whole family in the most positive of ways.

"We enjoy supporting the children we have and find so much enjoyment in seeing them achieve their milestones.

"Our children are genuinely interested in their welfare and we would fully recommend fostering to anyone considering it."Coun Phillip Owen, chairman of the children and young people’s committee at the council, said: "There may be some people evaluating their lives and thinking about making changes for the future.

"Could that include potentially becoming a foster carer and giving a child a stable home?

"If you think you or someone you know could be a foster carer, I urge you get in touch.”

Since the first lockdown, the fostering recruitment team has switched to running virtual information events for those thinking about fostering.

The virtual events are held every three weeks, with the next one on Thursday, February 25 at 1.30pm.

For details, visit the council website here, Facebook page here, or call the fostering team on 0115 8044440.