Become a fostering recruitment champion

An innovative fostering recruitment scheme was at the top of the agenda during a recent meeting with David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield, and members of the Cheshire East Council’s fostering team. 

During the meeting, the team outlined that there is a national shortage of foster carers who can offer a safe home to the children and young people who need one. Last year, the national statics showed an 11% rise in numbers of children and young people who need be in care, but there has only been a 4% rise in the number of new foster carers available to meet that need. 

Currently, there are over 150 foster families across Cheshire East. However, locally, in Macclesfield, there is a real need for more foster families to ensure that the children and young people who are not able to live with their birth families, can remain close to their school, friends, and routine. 

This is why the Cheshire East Council fostering team has launched their three level Fostering Champion Scheme to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers and encourage more people to come forward. The team recognise that not everyone can become a foster family and have tailored the scheme to allow as many people as possible to get involved in a variety of ways. 

The scheme sets out three engagements levels. The first is by spreading the word through conversation or reposting social media content about fostering to friends and family, colleagues at work and in your community. Level two requires a participant to apply for an information pack of fostering leaflets and posters to display at work or in other venues. The final level is met by inviting a member of the fostering service to come to talk to you, your workplace or community group about fostering or to put on an information event. 

Further information on how to become a Fostering Recruitment Champion be sourced by calling 300 123 3223, accessing the Fostering Service webpage www.togetherforfostering.com or emailing fostering@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

Speaking after the meeting, David said, 

“The work that foster carers do for children and young people is life changing. It was impressive to hear the work the Cheshire East fostering team is doing to recruit more families and I am grateful to them for sharing their Fostering Recruitment Champion scheme with me.  I hope that more local residents will be inspired to get involved and spread the word – fostering makes a world of difference to often vulnerable young people’s lives.” 

David’s support in signing up to be a Fostering Champion is welcomed by Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, who said: 

“Our foster carers are all everyday heroes – ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Being a foster carer and making a difference to a child’s life is very rewarding, and we need more people from all walks of life, to help them experience childhood as it should be – from small everyday things to big celebrations.

“Whether it’s as an individual, a community group or a business, as a fostering recruitment champion you could help us to find more everyday heroes who could provide a safe, loving home and give one or more children in our care, a brighter future.”