Fostering providers unite to find more carers for West Yorkshire’s children

Foster care providers from across West Yorkshire are joining forces next week to try to recruit more foster carers for children who are looked after by local authorities across the region.

There is a shortage of foster carers across West Yorkshire with all five local authorities and independent fostering agencies having few to no approved families to look after teenagers and/or those with more complex needs. Across the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber we need a further 720 families to come forward.

People from across West Yorkshire who are interested in finding out more about becoming foster carers are invited to come along to an information evening the first direct arena in Leeds on Monday 8 June between 5pm and 8pm. Those attending will be able to get specialist advice from fostering teams from two West Yorkshire local authorities and 14 Independent Fostering Agencies.

The joint event has been organised as part of Foster Care Fortnight (1^st to 14^th June) to help people from across the region discover more about fostering and the different options available to them.

Across West Yorkshire there is a particular shortage of foster carers for teenagers, children with disabilities, sibling groups and parent and child fostering, although the event will be suitable for anybody interested in learning more about all types of fostering.

Each provider will have an expert and existing foster carer on hand to discuss what options are available by fostering through them, including what support packages they offer and what allowances and fees they pay.

The foster care providers who will be represented at the event are:

Action For Children

Barnardo’s

Bradford Council

Cambian Group

Children’s Family Trust

Classic Foster Care

Families Fostering

Foster Care Associates

Fostering Solutions

Leeds City Council

Orange Grove Foster Care

Parallel Parents

Swiss Foster Care

TACT

Team Fostering

Tree House Care

Visit www.foster4leeds.co.uk or call the dedicated foster care recruitment line on: 0113 2477443 for more information.