We always need more foster carers in Devon. The more we have, the better the choice that gives us in matching children and young people with carers, and so the better the chance that placements will be successful.
Fostering means you offering a substitute home to a child, or children, who need to be looked after for many reasons. Their parent(s) may suffer from ill health, have died or have mental health, drug or alcohol related problems and may need a break from caring. The child may need help because of abuse, neglect or homelessness.
Don’t think that your age, weight, disability, ethnicity, sexual preference, family structure or whether you’re married or not, will prevent you from becoming a foster carer. It doesn’t matter whether you’re unemployed, work full or part-time Having a pet does not rule you out either, as many children who are fostered love the companionship an animal can bring.
Fostering gives you choices. For example you can foster for a day, overnight, weekend, weeks, months or years. But for pre-school children our carers tends to be at home full time. We don’t expect everyone to have had their own children but it is particularly helpful if you have some experience or regular contact with children.
Your life experience can be really important to a child. Some children need a single female carer whereas other children would benefit from a positive male role model. We want the arrangement to be a success for everyone so there must be a careful match between what you can offer and the needs of the child is essential.
If you think fostering is for you, we’ll provide you with information, advice and guidance as well as financial support and training to build on your existing knowledge and skills. The decision as to what fits best with your family situation and other commitments is yours to make.
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