LL THIS WEEK
More and more children are finding families within the region due to changing lifestyles
Bids to help fostering hit record numbers Liverpool City Council’s Fostering Service has received a record number of enquiries so far this year – believed to be because of changes in people’s circumstances due to the Covid-19 pandemic. CALUM
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SNELL reports
n January alone, there were more than 100 expressions of interest in looking after a child in Liverpool. This is thought to be a result of more people working flexibly, such as from home, which means they are now able to consider potentially supporting a young person. More foster carers are always needed as recent figures indicate that there are more than 1,500 young people in care across the city. Liverpool City Council Fostering Service is the first port of call for when children come into care. Although there are a lot of foster care agencies within the city, the Liverpool Fostering Service are ultimately responsible for finding homes for children and young people who need foster carers. Karen Walley of Liverpool Fostering Services told Liverpool Life: “The ethos for us is always the welfare of the children and putting the children first. “Because of the pandemic, it has changed people’s lives with regards to what they want to do with the future. And if they’ve always wanted to foster, then maybe they’re taking this as the opportunity to make that first step. “The whole lockdown has meant that a lot of families have become more flexible with their lives, it could
be that they’ve re-assessed what they want to do – or even just become more aware of the effect the pandemic has had, with more children and young people than ever needing caring homes with foster carers. “For a lot of people, circumstances have changed with regards to working reduced hours or being furloughed. "Life has changed for a lot of people and we’re hopeful that it may have opened the door to fostering for some who have always wanted to do it but haven’t had the opportunity before.” Karen pointed out that becoming a foster carer isn’t usually a quick decision, but that Liverpool fostering service is there to share information and support people through the application process.
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hris and Amanda became foster carers with Liverpool Fostering Service in March 2020, initially part-time to fit around work commitments, and care for a teenage boy. The couple both work full-time and wanted to be involved in helping children who have been through trauma and helping get their lives back on track. Thanks to an increase in flexible working due to the pandemic, the young person has been able to stay
with them. Chris and Amanda spoke to Liverpool Life and shared their thoughts on the potential impact lockdown has had on fostering. “Lockdown has definitely changed our experience of fostering,” they said. “What we’ve seen during lockdown is a large focus on mental health and social factors. "I wouldn’t be surprised if more people have been thinking about these things and ways in which they can help and the role they can play in that.” “I think the high number of enquiries are to do with the working from home – it’s much easier to be flexible from home than from work, I guess. That’s the major contributing factor in my opinion”, said Chris. “I guess the usual challenges of lockdown have been tricky, such as not being able to do the things you would normally do with a young
person. "It’s hard because the three of us are at home all the time. In terms of getting to know each other, it can be really helpful, but it is important to be mindful and give the young person space because there isn’t anywhere else for them to go, but it helped with us getting to know each other. “It’s frustrating for the young person as there’s only so many things you can do at home – but we’re finding ways around that. “We’re very much looking forward to when we can go out and show him things we think he’ll enjoy. “It’s the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done, and we are very grateful for all the help we have received from the Liverpool Fostering Service” Liverpool Fostering service is 100 per cent non-profit. The more foster carers that come forward, the more children can be supported in their local community.
“The pandemic has changed people’s lives with regards to what they want to do with the future and if they’ve always wanted to foster, then maybe they’re taking this as the opportunity to make that first step.”
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