Appeal for foster carers to help keep brothers and sisters together (From The Northern Echo)

Appeal for foster carers to help keep brothers and sisters together

5:19pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Darlington

AN appeal has been made for foster carers willing to take in groups of siblings to allow brothers and sisters to stay together during difficult times.

Darlington Borough Council’s family placement service said it is always looking for people to offer a home to a child on a long or short placement, but particularly needs carers who are able to take more than one child.

The service is also looking for people willing to provide parent and child placements, where a mother and her baby live with a foster carer for a short period of time to provide support and advice on developing their parenting skills.

Service manager Hilary Tillotson said: “We are always looking for people who are willing to offer a caring home to a child on either a short or longer term placement.

“We are especially looking for people willing to look after sibling groups in order to keep the children together.”

Foster carers can come from any background, but must be over 21 and in reasonable health.

They can be single, married, or living with a partner, and do not need to have children of their own.

Foster placements can last a few days or up to a year and provide a stable environment for a child while permanent arrangements are made for their care.

All foster carers are given an allowance and full training and are supported by a social worker and other experienced foster carers.

For more information, contact the family placement service on 01325-388077 or e-mail fostering@darlington.gov.uk