London,
07
May
2019
|
15:39
Europe/London

Fostering transforms lives

Foster Care Fortnight, from 13 to 26 May, helps to raise awareness of fostering and how it transforms lives.

Fostering is looking after a child who cannot live with their parents. The child will be living in the foster carer's home for a few days, several months or, in some cases, several years.

A child may be fostered due to an illness in the family, a breakdown in family relations and exposure to abuse or neglect. In Camden we need people who can offer stability, consistency and a warm and loving home to our children and young people.

A foster carer can be single, married or in a relationship. They don’t have to own their own home and there is no upper age limit, as long as they are fit and healthy enough to care for a child. A spare room is preferable - as children over the age of two will need their own space - but not a necessity, as we do take on a small number of baby carers each year.

A great deal of support and training comes from the Council’s fostering team – including a dedicated supervising social worker. We pay our foster carers a weekly allowance for each child or young person placed with them, plus a generous weekly fee for the foster carer.

And, if you live in the borough of Camden, you are exempt from paying council tax. As a Camden carer, you will also have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications in foster care.

Trevor's story

Camden foster carer Trevor Elliott, 28, (pictured, centre) became an approved foster carer for us three years ago. He’s currently fostering three boys aged 16 to 17 who will now stay with him until they’re ready to go onto to university or start work.

As the founder of a not-for-profit youth organisation, Trevor has extensive experience of working with teenagers but he acknowledges that fostering requires a different level of commitment.

Trevor said: “When you work with young people in a youth centre you can clock off but when you are providing care in your own home it’s 24 / 7. However, when you see the progress they make on a daily basis it’s very rewarding.”

Join the conversation and find out more:

  • Join the conversation during Foster Care Fortnight on Twitter by using the hashtags #FCF19 and #ChangeAFuture
  • Watch our new short film, 'Could You Foster', made for Camden by a fostering family
  • Our fostering team are hosting special information stalls from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 18 May at St John at Hampstead Church, Church Row, Hampstead, and from 11am to 2pm on Monday 20 May at the O2 shopping centre in Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage
  • Come along to one of our regular information sessions at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD
  • Visit camden.gov.uk/fostering, email [email protected] or phone 0800 028 1436.
Councillor Angela Mason CBE, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life
Looking after a child takes real energy and a warm heart. Camden foster carers go above and beyond to give children and young people a safe and secure home, making a big difference to their lives. We need to recruit more foster carers who can help bring a sense of family and belonging to vulnerable children and young people, so please contact our fostering team today or come to one of our monthly information evenings.
Councillor Angela Mason CBE, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life