Pembrokeshire County Council is looking for more foster carers to look after teenagers. The council cares for over 200 children and young people, who need to be looked after by social care each year. Now to mark Foster Care Fortnight (May 14-25), the social care team is highlighting the local need for more foster carers for older children. The council has seen a steady rise in the number of people becoming foster carers following increased publicity about fostering and a big increase in the level of financial and practical support offered by its family placement team last year. The team is now highlighting the need for more foster carers for older children and teenagers in particular. Working with young people in this age range can be rewarding as you are part of team encouraging them to learn cooking, budgeting and all the other skills necessary for independent living. In order to support foster carers for this age group a new, innovative project has started to look after the county's most challenging young people. However, there continues to be a need for short and long term foster placements for older children generally. "Fostering is certainly a very challenging role to play but it can also be very rewarding," said Sian James, cabinet member for health and well-being. "Anyone can be a foster carers, whatever their circumstances, but they will need a spare room, energy and empathy with children some of whom have had more than their fair share of problems to deal with," she said. All carers fostering with Pembrokeshire County Council are offered a substantial support package, including training, social activities and practical support organised by a specialised team of social workers in its family placement team. The team has recently appointed a specialist worker to support carers for older children and expanded the range of training opportunities available. Foster carers also get financial allowances, which rise regularly with inflation and the council also supports and monitors each youngster it places in foster care. In addition to the support offered by the council, all looked after children will this year get a special pack funded by Health Challenge Pembrokeshire. The pack includes health and hygiene products, leisure opportunities, water bottles, stress balls and information and advice on a range of issues. If you are interested in fostering a teenager 'phone 01646 683747 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
