BRADFORD Council’s fostering servicE is taking part in a national campaign to raise the profile of fostering and to show how foster care can transforms the lives of looked after children in the district.

Foster Care Fortnight 2018, which is the UK’s biggest foster carer recruitment campaign, takes begins today and runs until May 27.

A number of initiatives and events will get underway aross the two weeks with the aim of celebrating the work of foster carers in the district, dispelling myths and talking to people who are interested in fostering.

A team from Fostering in Bradford will also be out and about at the following places

  • Week 1 (14-19 May)
    • Monday 14 May, 10am-2pm, Tesco Extra, Great Horton Road
    • Tuesday 15 May, 11am-2pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley, 
    • Wednesday 16 May, 10am-2pm, Asda, Rooley Lane
    • Thursday 17 May, 10am-12noon, Costa Coffee, Shipley
    • Saturday 19 May, 9-10.30am, Horton Park, Park Run event
  • Week 2 (21-27 May)
    • Monday 21 May, 10am-12noon, Costa Coffee, Bingley
    • Tuesday 22 May, 10am-2pm, Morrisons, Thornbury
    • Friday 25 May, 11am-2pm, reception at Margaret McMillan Towers, Bradford

There will also be an art competition for all the district’s looked after children, including those in fostering households.  Entries of paintings or drawings of what makes their family special can be submitted up until May 25.

Councillor Adrian Farley, Bradford Council's executive member with responsibility for children’s social care said: “Foster care makes a huge difference to the lives of foster children and young people so it’s important we highlight all the great work that currently goes on in the district. 

“Foster Care Fortnight in Bradford will also raise the profile of fostering and the need for more carers from all sections of society. 

"There’s a shortage of full time and part time carers, in particular for brothers and sisters that need to stay together, teenagers and children with disabilities.  You can even become a carer just at evenings and weekends"

People are being encouraged to share their stories of fostering on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #ProudtoFoster and #FosteringBradford 

Anyone interested in fostering a child should call 01274 434444 or complete the form at www.fosterbradford.co.uk.

Meanwhile, research from fostering service and social enterprise Five Rivers Child Care has found Yorkshire and the Humber faces a shortfall of 610 carers.

Five Rivers carried out a survey of 2,000 people to identify misconceptions hindering foster carer recruitment across the UK. 

It found that 61 per cent of those surveyed in the region were not aware that foster carers can be paid a fee of up to £25,000 per year, which increases if additional children are looked after. 

Twenty per cent of those surveyed were reluctant to pursue fostering as they believed they didn't meet the appropriate criteria, but 57 per cent were unaware that childess individuals or couples can foster. 

And 43 per cent did not know that same sex couples can foster, with similar numbers unaware that those in rented accommodation, or single individuals are also eligible. 

Martin Leitch, Head of Fostering Operations for Five Rivers Child Care, said: “The ongoing shortfall has a direct impact on the thousands of children across the UK currently waiting to be re-homed with loving foster families. 

"The industry as a whole has worked extremely hard over recent years to increase professionalism for the benefit of children and young people and now a better understanding of foster care as a career option needed if we are to rectify the shortage."