City of York Council launches appeal for foster carers for York children and young people
City of York Council is launching a new campaign this new year to recruit foster carers to support children and young people who can’t live with their own families.
The council cares for around 200 children and young people in York and urgently needs local foster carers to provide them with safe, loving homes. It’s hoping to build on the community support seen during the covid pandemic, as well as the city’s support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Anyone over the age of 21 can foster, whether they own their own home or not; work full-time, part time or not at all or whether they’re single or in a relationship. The council welcomes foster carers of any sexuality, from any religious, ethnic or cultural background.
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, explained:
“Being able to provide safe, loving homes for children and young people who can’t live with their own families means that they can maintain their own friendship and family networks, if appropriate, in their own community.
Our foster carers are all ordinary people doing an extraordinary role and they’re all as different as the children and young people in our care. York has a long history of altruism, and we know that a desire to help others remains strong in communities across the city. If anyone is looking for a new challenge, which enables them to give something back to their local community, I’d urge them to consider fostering. It really does change children’s lives.”
All the council’s foster carers are offered regular training and support, together with a competitive package of allowances which enable foster carers to receive up to £25,000 per annum.
Fostering:
• Is immensely rewarding and challenging
• allows people to use their existing skills with children and young people
• is flexible and home-based
• allows someone to receive an allowance of up to £25,000 per year with additional tax allowances
• offers fantastic training and support
For more information about fostering for York visit www.york.gov.uk/fostering email foster4york@york.gov.uk or call 01904 555678.