THERE are almost 1,000 children in care in Liverpool – and the ranks have risen considerably in the wake of the Baby Peter Connelly case.
Now potential foster carers are being invited to the Town Hall for a bowl of scouse with the Lord Mayor, with a chance to find out what taking a child into their own home is all about.
As part of Liverpool Council’s fostering recruitment campaign, ‘Big heart – Big City’, an open day is being held the Town Hall from 10am until 2pm on Wednesday January 30, where potential foster carers can go along and chat informally to staff from the foster care service as well as existing foster carers.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sharon Sullivan, will be on hand to welcome them for a photo opp by serving up scouse.
But there is more to it than that. The Lord Mayor said: “Fostering a child can be so rewarding, and anyone can do it, all you need is a good heart and a loving home.
“I would urge anyone who has ever considered fostering to come along to the Town Hall and speak to a member of the fostering team.
“This is going to be an informal event and we want to encourage people from all walks of life to take a moment and ask themselves if they can make a difference in a young person’s life.”
Liverpool has over 150 more looked-after children that it had four years ago, and the number now stands at almost 1,000. The rise is due to a greater level of awareness of the issue of child neglect and abuse following the Baby P case in Haringey, and is reflected across the country, says the council.
Liverpool has over 300 foster carers currently looking after children, and the city is aiming to recruit a further 100 a year over the next four years to keep up with the demand for loving homes.
Allowance
A website has been set up dedicated to foster carer recruitment in Liverpool. It has information about the role of a foster carer and has a simple enquiry form, accessible on every page, for those wanting to find out more.
An information line dedicated to enquiries from anyone interested in finding out about becoming a foster carer is also available - 0151 515 0000.
Liverpool’s foster care service will provide carers with training, an allowance and support from a group of dedicated social workers.
Foster carers need to be aged over 21, but there is no upper age limit. They can be single, married or co-habiting, straight or gay.
