STOCKTON-ON-TEES Borough Council is calling for people who could provide a child with time, commitment and a loving home to consider fostering or adoption.
The Council is holding an information session for prospective foster carers and adopters on Tuesday 18 July 2017, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Jim Cooke Suite within Stockton Central Library on Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1TU.
Residents unable to attend but interested in finding out more can get in touch with the Council’s Child Placement Team for an information pack.
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “If you think you could love and support a child who may never have experienced the security of feeling safe, I would urge you to consider talking to us about fostering or adoption. There is a huge demand for foster carers and adoptive parents across the North East, with hundreds of children looking for short-term placements or forever families depending on their circumstances.’
Foster carers and adopters come from all walks of life and all kinds of people may have the commitment, skills and experience to make a difference to a child and give them a positive family experience.
Some people rule themselves out before making an enquiry about fostering and adoption because they think they may not be eligible. However, officers at the Council urge interested people, whatever their circumstances, to come along to the information session or have an informal chat with a member of the Council’s Child Placement Team.
Those who go forward with the process of fostering or adopting get professional support and guidance, and comprehensive training, as well as access to local support groups. A generous weekly allowance is given to foster carers to cover costs.
For an information pack, contact 01642 526218 or visit www.stockton.gov.uk/fosteringandadoption