Volunteering - fostering

From Camlink

The foster parent system in Cambridgeshire is run by Cambridgeshire County Council as part of its social services activity. Applications are welcomed from potential foster parents. Fostering is described in the following extract from the County Council's website:

Types of fostering

Fostering is caring for children in your own home whilst their own parents or guardians are unable to look after them. Foster parents look after a child or children on behalf of the county council for periods ranging from a few days to several years.

Time Limited Foster Carers care for a child until they can return home or move to a permanent placement. This may last for a few days or several months.

Bridging Foster Carers care for a child for a much longer period of time until they can either return home or be placed with permanent Foster Carers, or be placed for adoption.

Respite Foster Carers care for a child for a weekend or a month or a few days or in the school holidays, to give their parents or other carers a break.

Long Term Foster Carers care for a child until they reach adulthood.

Youthcare & Youthcare Challenge Foster Carers (Fostering Teenagers) care for young people between 10-18 who often have challenging behaviours because of their past experiences.

Link Foster Carers and Link Plus Carers (Short breaks for children with disabilities) care for children with disabilities for a short time on a regular basis, for example, a weekend or a month or a few hours a week.

Becoming a foster parent

The County Council looking for people as foster parents who are:

• in work, unemployed or retired;

• married, single or living with a partner;

• from all ethnic origins;

• who may or may not have children of their own;

• who can offer a safe, stable and loving home environment.

If you have:

• a spare bedroom;

• energy and a sense of humour;

• an ability to understand the many different needs of children;

• an interest in promoting a child's health and education;

• respect and acceptance of a child's identity, religion, culture, race, language and any special needs;

• a willingness to develop your own skills through training, then

The County Council can offer:

• financial support

• training

• information

• access to professional help 24/7

• loan of equipment

• peer support through foster carer support groups called Foster Carer Associations.

For an Information Pack call 0800 052 0078 or complete the on-line enquiry form here.

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