Foster Care Fortnight is appealing for more foster carers in Wirral

May 20 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Heswall News

MANY more children in care could benefit from living with a foster family.

Although Wirral already has 260 of these families, the borough is, like the rest of the UK, currently experiencing a worrying shortage, despite more applications since the Baby P case.

Wirral Council hopes more potential foster carers will be inspired to come forward during Foster Care Fortnight, which started on Monday.

Catherine, 49, of Bebington, has been fostering with her husband Dave for nearly five years.

The grandmother said: “We initially thought about becoming foster carers after seeing signposts on roundabouts and we were driven on by the reality that we could really help a family or child in crisis.

“We were finally approved following a long, intrusive but necessary process that examined every aspect of our lives.

“We currently have five children placed with us and they come on holidays with us and to christenings, weddings and birthday parties.

“Family life is something these children would not get if placed in residential care.

“Children come into care through no fault of their own and come from all walks of life.

“One of the best things about being a foster carer is going to a school play and seeing their little face light up when they realise you are there for them, or getting a hug off a teenager who you have been at loggerheads with for weeks.

“Support is always available either from a Supervising Social Worker, the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) or even another Foster Carer.”

For more information call the foster recruitment hotline on 0151 666 4500 or 07917234985.