We are proud to support Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Sunday, 24 May.
The annual campaign is run by The Fostering Network, and aims to raise awareness about the ongoing need for foster carers, encourage more people to join the fostering community and celebrate the amazing work foster carers do every day.
This year’s theme is ‘This is Fostering’ and looks to celebrate and raise awareness of the different stories across the fostering community.
Over the course of Foster Care Fortnight, our fostering team will be hosting a number of events:
- Online lunch and learn sessions – Monday, 18 May, at 12noon. Offering people the chance to learn more about fostering, the different types of fostering and the roles foster carers play. You can book your space by emailing: FCRecruitment@Medway.gov.uk.
- Fostering pop-up at Dockside Shopping Centre – on Thursday, 14 May, from10am to 1pm. Our fostering team will be on hand to answer any questions you have about fostering and share helpful resources.
- Foster for Medway Walk – on Thursday, 21 May, from 1pm to 3pm. Join the team and foster carers for a walk around St Mary’s Island, getting the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about fostering. The group will be meeting at Costa Coffee, Dockside Shopping Centre before heading off on the walk – no need to book.
We are also part of the Local Authority Fostering South East (LAFSE) partnership, which is made up of 17 local authorities in the area. As well as running it’s monthly ‘Cuppa with a carer’ event, LAFSE will also running the ‘Paws and Paths to Foster’ event at Virgina Water Lake, Egham on Wednesday, 13 May.
More information about the events taking place can be found on the our website.
Transform someone else's life
Cllr Adam Price, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “People who foster do something amazing. The impact they have can completely transform someone else’s life, and I would like to truly thank every one of Medway’s foster carers for what they do.
“National campaigns like this are so important to highlight as it lets a light be shined on the amazing work people do, but just as importantly it can act as a rallying call. We are always in need of more people to foster, so if it is something you have been thinking about or want to find out what it involves, then please do come along to one of the great events taking place this Foster Care Fortnight to find out more.”
Find out more about Foster Care Fortnight on The Fostering Network’s website.
Learn more about the Local Authority Fostering South East partnership.
Find out more about Fostering, and the support on offer for foster carers in Medway.
Medway kinship care pilot
Earlier this year, it was announced that Medway was selected to take part in the national Kinship Zone pilot.
The pilot aims to support more children grow up within their family networks, rather than come into the care system.
Running for up to three and a half years, the pilot allows us to remove means testing around the financial allowance offered for kinship carers, and to bring it in line with the allowance offered to foster carers.
Additional support
Cllr Price added: “Those undertaking kinship care often do so without much support, so it was fantastic news to see Medway named as one of the pilot scheme locations earlier this year. We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible for this additional support receives it, so please do contact our team to find out more.”
Those unsure if they are eligible or not for the kinship support should get in touch with our team on: SGO.Support@Medway.gov.uk or by phoning 01634 336228.