New foster carer recruitment service

Cheshire East Council has joined forces with Warrington, Halton and Cheshire West and Chester councils to launch a new, collaborative project to recruit more foster carers. 

The service, known as ‘Foster4’, operates across the four Cheshire local authorities and aims to recruit more foster carers, as well as provide greater support, training opportunities, rewards and benefits.

Councillor Jos Saunders, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said:  “By increasing our pool of in-house carers we can provide the best possible care for those children and young people who need it most.

“Our commitment to improving the lives of cared for children in Cheshire East is more than a priority, it is the way in which we behave, think and feel about our young people in every aspect of our work.

“Collaborating with our partners across Cheshire means we can ensure these children can stay with local people we know well and who can keep them close to what is familiar to them, such as their school. This gives them the best possible foundation to shape their future happiness and wellbeing.”

Foster carers operate on a self-employed basis and can express a preference for the type of fostering they would like to undertake. Foster4 also provides all the training required to become a foster carer, offering exceptional support, allowances and benefits.‘Become a Foster Carer’ information sessions are now taking place six times per month across Cheshire and the next information sessions in Cheshire East are:

• Monday 12 November – 6pm, Cledford House, Long Lane South, Middlewich, CW10 0DB;
• Tuesday 20 November – 10am, Macclesfield Leisure Centre, Priory Lane, Macclesfield,SK10 4AF
• Thursday 6 December – 6pm, Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Moss Square, Crewe, CW1 2BB.

Residents can learn more about this new fostering service on the website which offers a one-stop-shop, where prospective foster carers can request information and take the first step. There is also a dedicated Facebook page, @Foster4cheshire, where those interested in fostering, and existing carers, can keep up to date with the latest news.