City of York Council celebrates its amazing foster carers during Foster Care Fortnight (13-26 May)

City of York Council is celebrating the life changing impact its foster carers have on the lives of local children and young people.

City of York Council is celebrating the life changing impact its foster carers have on the lives of local children and young people.

The council cares for over 200 children and young people in York and local foster carers provide safe, loving homes if they can’t live with their own families. Ordinary people doing the most extraordinary role.

The council is using Foster Care Fortnight to reinforce the urgent need for more foster carers in the city.

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, explained: “Being able to provide safe, loving homes for children and young people who can’t live with their own families can be literally life changing for everyone involved.

“Having local foster carers to support and care for York children and young people means that children can maintain their own friendship and family networks in their own community, which can really help them during challenging times.

“Our foster carers all have very different skills, life experiences and backgrounds, but what they all have in common is a desire to help children and young people.

“If anyone is looking for a new challenge, which enables them to give something back to their local community, I’d urge them to consider fostering. It really does change children’s lives.”

Anyone over the age of 21 can foster, whether they own their own home or not; work full-time, part time or not at all or whether they’re single or in a relationship. The council welcomes foster carers of any sexuality from any religious, ethnic or cultural background. The council also welcomes applications from people who are currently fostering for Independent Fostering Agencies.  

City of York Council foster carers are offered regular training and support, together with a competitive package of allowances which enable foster carers to receive up to £25,000 per annum.

Fostering is:

• Is immensely rewarding and challenging
• allows people to use their existing skills with children and young people
• is flexible and home-based
• allows someone to receive an allowance of up to £25,000 per year with additional tax allowances
• offers fantastic training and support

For more information about fostering for York visit www.york.gov.uk/fostering  email foster4york@york.gov.uk or call 01904 555678.

People can also register to attend our next online information event on Wednesday 5 June from 4 - 5pm by emailing foster4york@york.gov.uk