Become a fostering friendly employer to help put Portsmouth on the map as the capital of caring
Portsmouth children’s services charity Fair Ways is calling on local employers to enable their workforce to also be foster carers.
The numbers of foster carers in the UK is sharply declining while the numbers of children coming into care is increasing. There is a real and ongoing crisis in the sector and a shortfall of 6,500 carers nationally.
One of the barriers to fostering is that carers require time for regular Fostering meetings and this can impact on their employment.
However considerate employers can adopt Foster Friendly policies at no cost to accommodate these employees
Becoming a Fostering Friendly employer is easy but can make a huge difference to changing young lives in your local community.
We are committed to supporting as many local companies as possible become Fostering Friendly and enabling local people to look after young people in care. We want Portsmouth to be a leading Foster Friendly city.
For employers, there is no cost. They choose to adopt a simple Foster Friendly policy that provides flexibility for staff who are carers or want to become carers to attend regular fostering meetings on up to five days in a whole year. The policy has been developed by the Fostering Network and Fair Ways will assist all employers to adopt this policy. Gareth added: “Our target is to encourage 50 businesses to become Foster Friendly. If we do this it will mean that Portsmouth will be a leading Foster Friendly city and set an example for others to follow.
There is no cost involved, only a little flexibility to give employees the same help that working parents receive – which would make such a difference to young people who need foster care.
How fostering in family homes makes a difference
Foster carers are from all walks of life but collectively are extraordinary people, who offer their homes and love to care for babies, children and young people.
Fostering can genuinely be lifechanging for children in care and in certain circumstances lead to more successful outcomes than for children placed in a residential children’s home.
Becoming a foster carer can also have a very positive impact on the lives of carers too.
One Fair Ways Foster Carer said: “I can honestly say that fostering is the best thing I have ever done in my life. It is so rewarding, to know when you put your head on your pillow at night that you have made a positive difference to a child’s life is second to none.
“I’m so passionate about fostering and making a difference to a child’s life. I adore working with young people, especially teenagers, and the move into fostering was definitely my destiny.
I know there are so many amazing people out there who could change a child’s life for the better. Not only do I feel like I’m making a positive difference to my children, but goodness me, what a difference they have made to my life. Fostering has honestly brought more joy into my life than anything else.
Sign up now
Fair Ways can help employers write and adopt their Fostering Friendly policy. They will work with them throughout the process and collectively achieve the goal of having 50 Foster Friendly employers in the city and make a difference to the lives of children in care.
Find out more here.
For more information about becoming a foster carer, visit the website.