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What is Fostering?
Sometimes children and young people need to be cared for by the council for a period – or periods - of time in their lives. The care of such young people is usually best met through them living with an alternative family on a short or long term basis.
Who are we looking for?
To meet this need, the fostering service recruits people from various backgrounds and experiences who wish to make a contribution to the lives of children and young people.
We are looking for people from different races, cultures and religions - single people, couples that are unmarried, married or in a civil partnership, homeowners or people living in rented accommodation.
We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability or sexual orientation.
We are looking for foster carers that have backgrounds that can best meet the needs of individual children.
How do I become a foster carer?
Background and health checks are undertaken to determine the suitability of individuals or couples to foster. Applicants are provided with training to raise their awareness of the issues involved with fostering. The fostering service, in partnership with the applicant, undertakes an assessment of the applicant’s ability to provide care. This application is considered by Wirral’s Fostering Panel which approves foster carers. Find out more...
What type of fostering can I provide?
Foster carers may be approved for a specific age range or for children with particular needs.
Placements with foster carers may last until the child becomes an adult, may be for a few weeks or planned weekend breaks. Find out more...
What support would I receive?
We pay all foster carers an allowance based on the age and needs of the child(ren) they are looking after and an additional fee dependant on skills and experience.
We provide ongoing support to foster carers through an allocated foster care supervising social worker and to the young person placed through an allocated social worker. Specialist support is also available for the young person’s educational, leisure and health needs. Foster carers have access to ongoing training and developmental opportunities to ensure that they have the knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of young people placed with them. Find out more...
If you are you interested in becoming a foster carer for Wirral, you can:
Complete the online form to request more information by clicking on the 'Request for Service' button.
OR
Ring the Wirral Fostering Service (0151) 666 4500 or 0791 723 4985.
For more information about what happens after you have made an initial inquiry about becoming a foster carer see 'How to become a foster carer'.
You can find out information from foster carers in Wirral from the Wirral Foster Care Association: www.wirralfca.co.uk.
Or nationally the British Association for Adoption and Fostering: www.baaf.org.uk.
See also: National Fostering Network
If you are fostering a child or young person through a private arrangement you must register with the local authority – see private fostering.